Clear guidelines for stakeholer dialog

The acceptance of stakeholders is an essential prerequisite of our sustainable business success. For this reason, we are committed to holding dialogs with stakeholders as partners and working with all stakeholder groups in an atmosphere of mutual trust. Our Stakeholdercharta provides the foundation and guidelines for all dialog activities. On the basis of this, we discuss with our stakeholders openly about their requirements and at the same time contribute our positions to the dialog.

Regular dialog with policymakers and the public

The public and politics in Germany keep a close eye on DB Group. We have an important role in advancing the railway system in Germany and Europe. We are therefore sought after as a dialog partner in public discussions, and also actively engage in dialog with the entire sector. We establish our own transport policy positions at the national and international level in dialog with political and administrative institutions as well as parties, associations and relevant scientific areas. DB Group seeks to use logical arguments to contribute to a constructive debate process. The following memberships have particular relevance for political dialog at a national and international level:

• Pro-­­Rail Alliance (Allianz pro Schiene; ApS)
• Mobility and Transport Services Association (Arbeitgeber- und Wirtschaftsverband der Mobilitäts- und Verkehrsdienstleister; AGV MOVE)
• Comité international des transports ferroviaires (CIT)
• Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER)
• German Transport Forum (Deutsches Verkehrsforum; DVF)
• Union Internationale des Chemins de Fer (UIC)
• Association of German Transport Companies (Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen; VDV)

The principles of the stakeholder charter also apply to dialog with policymakers. In addition, we have set strict internal standards for participation in political processes, which are summarized as “Group Principles Ethics – Code of Conduct” and which are binding Group-­­wide.

Passenger Advisory Board makes a valuable contribution

For 15 years, the DB Passenger Advisory Board has been giving valuable impetus to improvements to products and services in numerous workshops, surveys and discussions, thus setting measures in motion. Twice a year, the committee, which consists of 30 private customers, comes together for ordinary meetings. In addition, it advises on and supports numerous projects relevant to customers. In the year under review, the Passenger Advisory Board was involved in various projects at an early stage in questions of strategic orientation, such as the deployment of artificial intelligence at DB Dialog or the further development of DB Lounges.