Important events
S3 restructuring program
The operational and economic development of Deutsche Bahn Group (DB Group) has not met expectations in recent years. The focus over the next three years until 2027 will therefore be on the structural improvement of DB Group: we are supplementing the Strong Rail strategy with the S3 restructuring program, with which we aim to improve the infrastructure, operations and profitability by 2027.
Start of operations of DB InfraGO
DB InfraGO has bundled the activities of DB Group in respect of track and passenger stations since the beginning of 2024. The launch of DB InfraGO also marked the start of a comprehensive renovation and modernization program for the rail network and stations. The focus is on the existing network. The aim is to make the existing infrastructure more efficient and robust and create more capacity in the rail network.
Expansion of Government funding for rail 2024
On February 2, 2024, the 2024 Federal budget was adopted. For the main budget items (for rail infrastructure and the funding of rail transport), total funds of more than € 17 billion are available, which is about € 7 billion more than was made available in the 2023 Federal budget and the previous Federal financial plan.
In the 2024 Federal budget, the Federal Government earmarked € 4.375 billion in addition to the funds from the Climate Action Program 2030 to increase the equity of Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG) for the purpose of upgrading the rail network, which was disbursed in two tranches in 2024.
The funds will be used exclusively for infrastructure and were passed on to DB InfraGO AG on the same day in order to increase equity.
Collective bargaining agreement with the GDL
After five months of negotiations and 18 days of strike in 2024 alone, DB Group and the German Train Drivers’ Union (Gewerkschaft Deutscher Lokomotivführer; GDL) reached a collective bargaining agreement on March 26, 2024.
First general modernization
The first general modernization in the highly utilized rail network was completed with the recommissioning of the Riedbahn in mid-December 2024.
Completion of ICE 4 procurement
With the delivery of the 137th train, the ICE 4 fleet is complete. Since 2016, the manufacturer Siemens Mobility has delivered trains in three different versions – in total more than 1,500 rail cars with about 105,000 seats. In addition to the 37 7-car trains, 50 12-car trains and 50 13-car XXL ICE trains are in operation. The latter have almost 1,000 seats.
Sale of DB Arriva
DB AG completed the sale of DB Arriva to I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investor, on May 31, 2024. The transaction was initiated with the signing of the purchase agreement in October 2023 and has since fulfilled the usual closing conditions and received final approval from the relevant regulatory authorities.
Agreement to sell DB Schenker
The Supervisory Board of DB AG approved the agreement concluded in September 2024 for the sale of DB Schenker to the Danish transport and logistics group DSV for an enterprise value of € 14.3 billion in October 2024. Including potential interest income until closing, this results in a total sales value of up to € 14.8 billion. The sale is expected to be completed in 2025 once all regulatory approvals have been obtained.
DB Cargo state aid proceedings
The European Commission concluded the state aid proceedings pending since 2022 against the Federal Republic of Germany concerning DB Cargo AG by way of the decision of November 29, 2024. In making this decision, the European Commission has approved the transformation and restructuring plan that has been running since the end of 2023 (Transformation of DB Cargo) of DB Cargo AG as the basis. This provides for extensive measures and is aimed at establishing the long-term profitability of DB Cargo AG by the end of 2026.