Transport Minister Proposes Railway Revamps for Enhanced Punctuality
Federal Transport Minister Volker Schneider (CDU) has announced structural reforms at Deutsche Bahn due to unsatisfactory results in punctuality. In an interview with "Tagesthemen", Schneider emphasized that changes are needed at many places within Deutsche Bahn. The proposed reforms and strategies for improving punctuality at Deutsche Bahn focus on three main areas: infrastructure improvement, operational enhancements, and profitability measures.
Improving Infrastructure
The infrastructural efforts aim to prevent frequent disruptions caused by equipment failure and outdated track conditions. Modernization of corridors, such as the Hamburg–Berlin corridor preparations and the Emmerich–Oberhausen corridor under execution, are part of these efforts. Additionally, the replacement of old interlockings and railway facilities is planned to reduce infrastructure-related delays. The reduction of speed restrictions is progressing better than anticipated, with constant monitoring.
Improving Operations
To enhance performance, Deutsche Bahn has introduced "construction in sync" using standardized time containers for construction work to avoid short-term work disruptions. Hub and line measures, such as flexible departure times, have been implemented in highly saturated areas to improve starting punctuality. The focus is also on improving vehicle quality and passenger information systems to reduce delays and enhance the customer experience.
Improving Profitability and Organizational Efficiency
DB Cargo is undergoing transformation programs to introduce customer-oriented organizational structures with entrepreneurial responsibility. Efficiency programs are being rolled out across major business units and headquarters to optimize resource use. The "Together strong" program aims to reduce personnel by at least 10,000 by 2027, increasing operational efficiency and financial stability.
The overall punctuality rate experienced a slight improvement to about 63.4% in 2025, with Deutsche Bahn aiming to stabilize and continue improving punctuality through these combined reforms. These reforms are part of a broader effort to reverse years of infrastructural neglect and operational inefficiencies that had undermined German rail punctuality.
Volker Schneider aims to bring more expertise into Deutsche Bahn's supervisory bodies and intends to achieve a leaner setup in Deutsche Bahn's personnel structures. The goal is to make the operation less prone to disruptions through investments, according to Schneider. The overall strategy for Deutsche Bahn, as announced by Schneider, aims to improve the control of the railway by the owner, through the supervisory board. The goal is to return punctuality rates beyond 80 percent in the medium to long term.
Schneider did not provide a specific date for when improvements in punctuality should be achieved. However, he stated that with each completed measure, the network will be in a better condition, allowing for potential improvements in punctuality. The comprehensive strategy for Deutsche Bahn, as announced by Schneider, is set to be presented by the end of summer.
[1] Deutsche Bahn Investor Update, Mid-2025 [2] Tagesthemen, 2025 [3] Various news sources, 2021-2025
- The structural reforms at Deutsche Bahn, as announced by Federal Transport Minister Volker Schneider, extend beyond punctuality improvements and also include policy-and-legislation changes in the finance industry, aiming to facilitate investments for infrastructure modernization.
- The political landscape in Germany could be significantly impacted by these transportation reforms at Deutsche Bahn, as politics often intertwines with general-news and policy-and-legislation, particularly in the context of large-scale public companies like Deutsche Bahn.
- To fully understand the wide-ranging implications of the reforms at Deutsche Bahn, one must consider the broader impact on the industry as a whole, such as potential competition changes and the resulting financial effects on other transportation companies due to DB Cargo's transformation programs.
