Development in the year under review
- Punctuality improved as a result of lower network capacity utilization.
- Revenue development is at the same level as the previous year despite a decline in demand due to Covid-19.
- Additional expenses, particularly for maintenance and personnel, are having a strong negative impact on income development.
- Personnel expenses increased as a result of collective bargaining agreements and personnel expansion.
- Capital expenditure activities increased significantly.
DB Netze Track | 2020 | 2019 | Change | 2018 | ||
absolute | % | |||||
| Punctuality DB Group (rail) in Germany (%) | 95.1 | 93.7 | – | – | 93.4 | |
| Punctuality (rail) in Germany 1) (%) | 94.5 | 93.1 | – | – | 92.9 | |
| Customer satisfaction (SI) | 66 | 65 | – | – | 64 | |
| Length of line operated as of Dec 31 (km) | 33,286 | 33,291 | – 5 | – | 33,299 | |
| Train kilometers on track infrastructure (million train-path km) | 1,064 | 1,089 | – 25 | – 2.3 | 1,084 | |
| thereof non-Group railways | 385.4 | 368.2 | + 17.2 | + 4.7 | 349.2 | |
| Share of non-Group railways (%) | 36.2 | 33.8 | – | – | 32.2 | |
Total revenues (€ million) | 5,660 | 5,652 | + 8 | + 0.1 | 5,511 | |
| External revenues (€ million) | 1,808 | 1,687 | + 121 | + 7.2 | 1,559 | |
| Share of total revenues (%) | 31.9 | 29.8 | – | – | 28,3 | |
EBITDAadjusted (€ million) | 1,086 | 1,443 | – 357 | – 24.7 | 1,446 | |
EBITadjusted (€ million) | 409 | 807 | – 398 | – 49.3 | 840 | |
| Operating income after interest (€ million) | 266 | 628 | – 362 | – 57.6 | 634 | |
| Gross capital expenditures (€ million) | 8,480 | 7,441 | + 1,039 | + 14.0 | 6,901 | |
| Net capital expenditures (€ million) | 1,363 | 1,055 | + 308 | + 29.2 | 564 | |
| Employees as of Dec 31 (FTE) | 50,330 | 48,787 | + 1,543 | + 3.2 | 46,969 | |
| Employee satisfaction (SI) | 3.9 | – | – | – | 3.7 | |
| Share of women as of Dec 31 (%) | 19.4 | 19.2 | – | – | 19.2 | |
| Track kilometers noise remediated in total as of Dec 31 (km) | 2,039 | 1,844 | + 195 | + 10.6 | 1,758 | |
The punctuality of non-Group and intra-Group TOCs increased. A lower capacity utilization due to lower demand had a positive effect, as did the lower number of passengers due to Covid-19. Construction-related bottlenecks on the track infrastructure and the resulting negative impacts on operations were compensated for by successful construction site and slow-moving site management.
Customer satisfaction improved slightly. About 300 customers were surveyed in 2020. Our services in the areas of information, service competence and network schedule in particular received positive assessments. The areas of construction measures and infrastructure availability continued to be viewed critically.
Train kilometers on track infrastructure declined, mainly as a result of a reduction in demand from intra-Group customers due primarily to Covid-19, particularly in regional transport and freight transport. This was partly offset by a higher demand from non-Group customers in regional transport. The effects of successful regional transport tenders exceeded the declines in demand due to Covid-19.
Economic development was weaker. Additional expenses for measures to expand capacity, improve quality, and in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic could not be offset by income development. As a result, operating profit figures decreased significantly.
- Total revenues were at the previous year’s level. Positive price effects were almost entirely offset by declines in demand, primarily due to Covid-19. External revenues increased as a result of increases in demand from non-Group customers.
- Other operating income (–10.0 %/€ –109 million) fell, partly as a result of the absence of positive one-time effects in the previous year (real estate disposal). Higher intra-Group income from settlements of services with Group companies partially compensated for this.
On the expenses side, there were noticeable additional burdens in cost of materials and personnel expenses, in particular:
- The increased cost of materials (+11.6 %/€ +224 million) is mainly due to higher maintenance services and the elimination of storm damage and to the Covid-19 pandemic (including additional strain from social distancing and hygiene measures).
- Personnel expenses (+5.1 %/€ +161 million) increased owing to the higher number of employees and to collective bargaining agreements.
- The increase in other operating expenses (+4.4 %/€ +54 million) was in part the result of higher project costs. Expenses for rent as well as for research and development also increased. Lower administrative costs had the opposite effect.
- Depreciation (+6.4 %/€ +41 million) increased, largely as a result of capital expenditures.
The significant increase in net capital expenditures was mainly due to higher capital expenditures in new and expansion line projects. The increase in funding under LuFV III led to noticeably higher gross capital expenditures.
The number of employees increased significantly to cover demand and ensure succession planning, particularly in the areas of maintenance, construction projects and operations.
Employee satisfaction rose significantly, partly as a result of improvements in occupational health and safety and the provision of work equipment, and remains at a good level. The compass index was in the average range at 55 %.
The share of women increased slightly compared to the previous year.
We achieved our share of the Group-wide noise remediation target for 2020 thanks to the completion of planned noise remediation work on over 2,000 km of the rail network.
