Preparation of the 2021/2022 schedule

About 83,000 train-path requests have been received for the 2022 network schedule. There were an increased number of registration conflicts, the result of several train operating companies ordering the same time slot on the same infrastructure. 50% of the 130 conflicts in total were resolved by mutual agreement with the affected parties with access rights. All the remaining conflicts were decided in a dispute resolution procedure, with the amount of full-year train-path usage fees being the decisive factor for awarding the train-path. The increase in train-path registrations by non-Group train operating companies in long-distance and freight transport in particular shows that competition on the rails continues to increase. The schedule process is subject to a strict regulatory framework and is monitored by the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur; BNetzA).