Targets
Improving punctuality is one of DB Group’s key targets. Quality targets are set in close coordination with the relevant business units. Quality targets are generally set for a calendar year and typically for subsequent years (e.g. as part of medium-term planning). The planning, coordination and resolution of targets takes place as part of the annual planning process. The target resolutions are made by the Management Board and confirmed by the Supervisory Board.
Operational punctuality
Punctuality targets are set annually for the medium-term period of five years. The punctuality targets for the following products are defined as part of the planning round:
- Long-distance rail passenger transport (DB Long-Distance)
- Regional rail passenger transport (DB Regional Rail on the basis of the regional transport, S-Bahn (metro) alternating current and S-Bahn (metro) direct current products) and
- Rail freight transport in Germany (DB Cargo)
This also results in the following punctuality data:
- Punctuality of DB passenger transport (rail) in Germany and
- Punctuality (rail) in Germany.
The current year (projected/forecast values) is used as the basis for the annual target values. The annual determination of targets takes into account premises from the respective strategy as well as Government requirements. The transition from the base value to the target value is based on the defined quality measures as well as opposing effects (e.g. facility aging, construction activity).
The defined annual targets are allocated to quarterly, monthly and weekly targets to allow for better control of punctuality. This allocation is based on historical annual trends and the impact of the actions.
The BMV’s newly created “Agenda for Satisfied Rail Customers” also sets medium-term and long-term punctuality targets for long-distance and local transport in particular.
| Operationalpunctuality / % | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 –2028 1) | 2029 2) | Medium-term 2) | Long-term 2) |
| DB Long-Distance | 60.1 | 60 | – | ≥ 70 | 80 | 90 |
| DB Regional Rail (stop-weighted) | 88.7 | ~89 | – | Permanently >90 | ||
| DB Cargo | 67.7 | ~68 | – | – | – | – |
1) Due to the changes in the Management Board and the BMV’s newly created “Agenda for Satisfied Rail Customers,” only the following year (2026) was included in the 2025 planning round.
2) Target defined by the BMV.