Deutsche Bahn chief Evelyn Palla has significantly scaled back the group's previous targets on growth, digitalisation, and punctuality. "Growth-oriented goals such as doubling passenger numbers have proven unsustainable in light of changed conditions," the railway said on Thursday. Full digitalisation of the rail network by 2035 was also described as "not realistic," and the group's punctuality target for long-distance services has now been set at 80 percent, but not until 2035.
Palla presented her corporate strategy at a supervisory board meeting in Berlin. "We are moving away from unachievable promises," she said. "We are focusing on realistic goals and facts." With this, Deutsche Bahn also buries the Starke Schiene (Strong Rail) strategy introduced by her predecessor Richard Lutz.
On long-distance punctuality, the group is now targeting a rate of 69 to 72 percent by 2030, rising to 80 percent by 2035. Since 2017, Lutz had repeatedly held out the prospect of a swift return to an 80 percent punctuality rate, yet in recent years performance continued to slide, falling to 64 percent in 2023, then 62.5 percent in 2024, and just over 60 percent last year.
The Federal Ministry of Transport under Patrick Schnieder (CDU) had already distanced itself from the more ambitious targets when Palla was appointed last September. The minister at the time called for 70 percent punctuality by 2029, 80 percent "in the medium term," and 90 percent "in the long term." Palla has now made clear that even the 80 percent target for 2035 can only be maintained with greater financial support from policymakers.
On rail digitalisation, Deutsche Bahn stated that its previous goal of a "digital, fully automated rail system" by 2035 is impossible. "As long as old signal boxes from the imperial era still exist, signal boxes will have to be replaced step by step," the company said.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
