Fundamentals

Passenger information is a key driver of customer satisfaction in local and long-distance transport. We use modern technologies to improve the travel experience from the customer’s perspective by providing consistent and reliable information. Passengers receive comprehensive information about their journey en route, at the station, on the trains and from the service staff on-site.

The availability of passenger information is essential for our customers in local and long-distance transport to make optimal use of our products. In recurring customer surveys, we analyze negative travel experiences and record the biggest annoyances related to passenger information in order to eliminate them in a targeted manner.

We accompany passengers to their destination with user-centric digital products and services. This is made possible by a large number of applications that we offer to all train operating companies (TOCs) on a non-discriminatory basis.

The central component of this application landscape is the traveler information platform (RI platform), which acts as a data platform for mobility data. The RI platform processes the data from the TOCs and rail infrastructure companies and makes it available to the customer channels as a single source of truth.

In addition to the customer channels, the data from the RI platform also flows into other applications, including a wide range of API (Application Programming Interface) services for data exchange, car sequence information, map functionalities, applications for employees, the AI-supported calculation of arrival, departure and transfer forecasts and various passenger information systems.

Further development of passenger information systems

In the respect of passenger information in 2024, we focused on providing information in disruption situations, optimizing the existing processes for determining forecasts and renewing the passenger information systems. The effectiveness of these activities is regularly evaluated through customer surveys and discussions with the DB Passenger Advisory Board in order to identify adjustments and any necessary countermeasures.

A new, central control and publication system (Passenger Information of the Future; IRIS+) is being rolled out as part of the renewal of the passenger information systems. Combined with the RI platform, this system provides information for passengers at the station. By the end of 2024, more than 800 stations were running the RI platform and IRIS+.

In addition to the conversion of stations to IRIS+, in 2024 activities also focused on the introduction of the next generation of the Dynamic Text Indicator (DSA+). By the end of 2024, about 1,000 new-generation devices with a multi-line, higher-resolution LED matrix display had been installed. The replacement of the entire stock of devices (about 6,600 display devices) should be completed by mid-2028 at the latest. The new devices are all equipped with an accessible button and an additional voice output request loudspeaker. In addition, they will be equipped with an additional interactive customer display using energy-saving e-paper technology, which clearly summarizes current and upcoming schedule changes and can be used flexibly for current location-based information (digital construction notice). This is aimed at reducing the expense of producing and distributing paper notices which increase due to construction sites. At the same time, the displays increase the topicality of the information. About 600 of these new customer displays were installed in 2024. Further innovations in passenger information in 2024 included the introduction of the digital arrival board based on real-time data, the introduction of the digital car sequence plan with details of classes, order numbers, quality features and capacity utilization information as well as ongoing further development, including with colors for the display of train cancellations and changes of tracks in the train indicators.