Despite widespread delays and numerous construction sites, Deutsche Bahn achieved a new passenger record in 2025. According to the Bild Sunday edition, citing the company’s forthcoming annual report, passenger numbers rose 3.4 % from the previous year, reaching 1.93 billion trips.
The biggest growth was in regional traffic: about 1.8 billion passengers rode DB Regio trains. The increase was attributed in part to new route concessions, such as those obtained in Saxony‑Anhalt and the line between Stuttgart and Lake Constance. Long‑distance traffic (ICE/IC) remained unchanged, with 136 million travelers.
In its report, Deutsche Bahn still highlights what it calls the “construction paradox”. While passenger demand is strong, the operator suffers from a deteriorating infrastructure. The company lists the high volume of construction projects as the main reason for ongoing punctuality problems.