Railway adjustments are underway
Deutsche Bahn's New Strategy and Leadership Change
Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany's state-owned railway company, is undergoing significant changes. On September 22, 2025, German Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder will present a new strategy for DB, focusing on heavy investment in infrastructure maintenance and customer satisfaction improvements.
The new strategy, part of a broader railway reform program titled the “Agenda for Customer Satisfaction,” aims to boost punctuality and support Germany’s climate goals. The plan is to reach over 80% punctuality by renovating key corridors and shifting traffic from road to rail, while replacing diesel with cleaner alternatives.
Amid these strategic changes, DB's CEO, Richard Lutz, has agreed to leave his position earlier than expected. However, he will remain with the company until a successor is appointed. Potential candidates include Michael Peter, the boss of Siemens Mobility, Evelyn Palla, the head of regional transport at Deutsche Bahn, Jörg Kukies, the former Federal Minister of Finance, and Philipp Nagl, the current head of InfraGo.
The restructuring of DB's supervisory board and railway board has begun under the new federal government. The goal is to increase specialist expertise and achieve a leaner structure.
The current state of DB's infrastructure has caused significant problems, with punctuality in long-distance traffic dropping from 78.5% in 2017 to 62.5% last year. The financial planning of the current federal government may lead to the halt of expansion and new construction projects at DB.
DB has been posting losses for years, and the railway is in distress economically. Green politician Matthias Gastel criticizes the upcoming change in leadership at DB, stating that stronger control and management by the federal government, and more funding, are needed. Critics of Lutz hope for a chance to change the course of DB with a new strategy and new leadership.
The restructuring program includes modernizing more than 40 heavily traveled routes by the mid-2030s through so-called general renovations. The extensive restructuring program initiated by Lutz includes addressing the dilapidated infrastructure, operational issues, and economic difficulties at DB.
The problems at DB are seen as more profound, and there is general support for the long-term restructuring course for infrastructure. However, the new federal government's strategy does not guarantee a short-term improvement in operational conditions at DB. Despite the challenges, the focus remains on returning DB to profitability and improving operational performance.
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