Transport Ministry intends to implement railway modifications for improving train schedule adherence
Federal Transport Minister Volker Schneider has announced a far-reaching reform strategy for Deutsche Bahn, aiming to improve the railway's notoriously poor punctuality rates. The strategy focuses on heavy investments in infrastructure maintenance, modernising key corridors, and prioritising operational stability over new infrastructure development.
The plan prioritises the renovation of heavily used, high-performance routes to reduce disruptions and improve reliability. Schneider hopes to increase punctuality rates from the current around 63.5% to over 80% in the coming years.
Key elements of the strategy include:
- The extensive renewal and modernisation of railway infrastructure, with the aim of replacing outdated signal boxes (40 to be replaced in the first half of 2025).
- The upgrading of traffic control centres and improvements to the overall network condition, as demonstrated by the successful renovation of the Riedbahn route, which led to a 60% reduction in disruptions and significant improvements in facility conditions and punctuality-related metrics.
- The prioritisation of maintenance and renewal of the most heavily used core network infrastructure, as nearly half of the critical operational and punctuality-relevant facilities are currently prone to failure and require urgent update.
- The utilisation of funds from Germany’s large infrastructure and climate package (with Deutsche Bahn claiming nearly one-third of the €500 billion fund) to support this ambitious overhaul.
- The implementation of targets, milestones, and deadlines for Deutsche Bahn to address the "permanent crisis" identified by federal auditors, with a holistic approach addressing root causes, not just financial inputs.
Although recent improvements have been made, Deutsche Bahn’s punctuality remains poor, with only about 63.4% of long-distance trains arriving on time within six minutes delay during the first half of 2025. This underscores the need for this sustained and focused reform program, which represents a long-term effort, with network modernisation expected to continue through the mid-2030s.
Minister Schneider has emphasised the need for profound changes within Deutsche Bahn, aiming to achieve a leaner setup in the personnel structures, bringing more competence into the supervisory bodies, and improving the control of the railway by the owner, through the supervisory board. However, Schneider did not specify a date by which improvements in punctuality should be achieved.
This reform strategy, to be presented by the end of summer, represents a significant step towards improving Deutsche Bahn’s operations and restoring public confidence in the railway service.
- The financial package allocated for Germany's infrastructure and climate project will be utilized to support Deutsche Bahn's extensive modernization and renovation of railway infrastructure.
- The reform strategy for Deutsche Bahn in the transportation industry includes politics and finance elements, as Schneider aims to address the "permanent crisis" identified by federal auditors with a holistic approach, not just financial inputs.
- Part of the general-news surrounding Deutsche Bahn involves the industry's ongoing need for profound changes, including a leaner personnel structure, more competent supervisory bodies, and greater control by the owner, according to Federal Transport Minister Volker Schneider.
