Markets and strategy

In 2025, demand for train-paths had recovered from the negative effects of one-off events in the previous year (GDL strikes and severe weather). In rail passenger transport, however, sales development has been and continues to be dampened by the condition of the infrastructure and the related high construction volume (e.g. the Hamburg — Berlin corridor modernization). The economic situation led to declines in rail freight transport. In 2025, non-Group TOCs were able to further expand their market share, while demand from intra-Group TOCs remained at the previous year’s level. Overall, the number of station stops has declined slightly. There was a moderate increase in the market share of intra-Group TOCs in rail passenger transport.

DB InfraGO’s strategic direction is defined in terms of key areas of action, and is focused on ensuring that the existing rail network is highly available and digitally condensed. Modernizing the existing network is a top priority. Stations and service facilities are to be designed to be accessible to all users without discrimination and with sufficient capacity. The rail network is being expanded through targeted expansion and new construction as well as electrification projects. To document progress in the modernization of the rail network and stations, DB InfraGO publishes the InfraGO condition report annually. This report uses a school grading system to assess the condition of a large portion of the network and station infrastructure.

• Availability and operations: This area of action aims to continuously stabilize the availability of facilities and enhance operational quality. Infrastructure-related delays are to be reduced and restricted speed sections are to be lifted promptly. To this end, tracks, switches and level crossings that are particularly critical to punctuality are being replaced with the aim of improving the overall condition of the high-performance network. A new management system (“synchronized construction”) with mandatory, pre-planned closure times (containers) allows for early communication of construction phases to the TOCs. At the same time, this targeted modernization is intended to improve the condition of facilities and maintain it at a stable level through fixed maintenance intervals. To ensure operational stability, the necessary number of employees at interlockings will be maintained through targeted measures in the areas of management, recruitment, and training of interlocking personnel.
• Transforming the highly utilized network into a high-performance network: The goal of this area of action is to create stability anchors for the rail system through the modernization of the most important rail corridors. As part of the corridor modernizations, DB InfraGO is combining all necessary work to improve the condition of infrastructure and stations across all crafts within a few months. Within the scope of the high-performance network area of action, the targeted improvement of reliability and capacity at the hubs was defined as a measure. Similarly, the focus of maintenance was placed on preventive and predictive measures, as well as on rapid 24/7 troubleshooting.
• Rapid capacity expansion: In this area of action, small and medium-sized measures are intended to alleviate bottlenecks and improve the network’s resilience to disruptions. They improve punctuality and maintain service levels, particularly during technical disruptions and construction work on the high-performance network. These include infrastructure projects such as additional track change options, signals, track switching operations or new platforms. These measures have a positive impact on all modes of transport.
• Other parts of the network next to the high-performance network: This area of action emphasizes the maintenance of the entire infrastructure as the foundation for a high performance-capability of rail transport. Accordingly, the other parts of the network next to the high-performance network must also remain or become capable of being operated efficiently as a basis.
• Expansion and new construction: In this area of action, additional construction projects and line electrification initiatives are implemented to provide the necessary capacity for the implementation of Germany in sync.
• Stations of the future: In this area of action, it is intended to continuously improve the perceived quality of stations and their surrounding areas through uniform product and production standards. The goal is to comprehensively modernize the stations by implementing customer-focused standards across all areas, always in close cooperation with the states, cities and municipalities. Standardization and increasing digitalization are intended to streamline processes, optimize maintenance activities and implement demand- and condition-based production concepts.
• Digitalization: In addition to the rollout of the European Train Control System (ETCS), this area of action includes the commissioning of ETCS-compatible interlockings. The ETCS refitting is focused in particular on the Stuttgart Digital Hub (Digitaler Knoten Stuttgart; DKS), the Scandinavian-Mediterranean corridor (ScanMed) and the Rhine-Alpine corridor. When modernizing high-performance corridors, refitting is carried out immediately or the necessary conditions are created for future ETCS installation, for example on the Berlin — Hamburg corridor. Other future technologies such as semi-automated driving (GoA 2) and a capacity-oriented traffic management system (CTMS) are being gradually integrated into the rail system. These technologies are being implemented for the first time at the Stuttgart Digital Hub.
• Sustainability and environment: This area of action brings together key levers for achieving climate neutrality, among other things. These include the further electrification of lines – including through the restructuring of our own production processes – as well as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the construction and operation of infrastructure. Additional measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are being implemented, for example, in building management. In the Passenger Stations business area, absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions are to be reduced through measures such as the use of 100 % eco-power in buildings and depots supplied by DB Energy, as well as through a more climate-friendly design of our heating systems. Energy consumption is also to be steadily reduced through energy efficiency measures, such as switching to LED lighting. DB InfraGO also focuses on comprehensive, sustainable vegetation management that involves a coordinated combination of various measures, on resource conservation through the promotion of circular economy approaches, on noise reduction and on other environmental protection measures.