Dialog with policymakers and the public
DB Group plays an important role in the achievement of transport policy objectives and in the further development of the railway system in Germany and Europe. That is why we actively seek dialog with the entire sector. We discuss our own transport policy positions at the national and international level and seek to use facts and figures to contribute to the decision-making process. Political decisions can have a significant impact on the competitiveness and growth opportunities of rail transport, as well as the economic development of the rail sector, such as on the level of state financing of rail or regulatory requirements. We provide information on key developments in the political environment in the chapter Fundamentals.
Our core concern in political dialog is to identify the necessary prerequisites and framework conditions to strengthen rail as a climate-friendly mode of transport and thus also achieve the long-term Strong Rail targets. Our work in and with associations plays an important role in this. DB Group is a member of several associations. The following memberships are particularly relevant for political discourse (in alphabetical order based on German designation):
- Pro-Rail Alliance (Allianz pro Schiene; ApS)
- Mobility and Transport Services Association (Arbeitgeber- und Wirtschaftsverband der Mobilitäts- und Verkehrsdienstleister; AGV MOVE)
- Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER)
- German Transport Forum (Deutsches Verkehrsforum; DVF)
- Association of German Transport Companies (Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen; VDV)
In addition to our stakeholder charter, we have set ourselves internal standards for participation in political processes, which are summarized in the binding Group-wide Group Principles Ethics – Code of Conduct. This stipulates, among other things, that contributions of any kind to political parties, their representatives, political leaders, elected representatives and candidates for political office are generally prohibited. The Lobby Register Act has also been in force in Germany since January 1, 2022. The lobby register and corresponding regulations at national and EU level make it possible to transparently track structures of influence exerted by interest representatives on the political- and decision-making process.