It’s happening: DB starts construction for Fehmarn Belt Tunnel access
Construction for the future German rail access to the Fehmarn Belt Tunnel, leading into Denmark, is officially underway. The new 18.2-kilometre underwater tunnel will connect the Danish island of Lolland with the German island of...Read more
German Cartel Office also roots for DB’s split into two companies
The argument that Deutsche Bahn should be split into two separate companies–one for infrastructure and one for operations is gaining more support. The Federal Cartel Office, Germany’s national competition regulatory agency, also favours the idea...Read more
Frankfurt-Mannheim railway: total closure between 1 and 22 January
The Riedbahn, the railway connecting Frankfurt with Mannheim, will be “fully closed to train traffic from 1-22 January”, Deutsche Bahn (DB) stated. The line is planned to undergo significant renovation over the next five months....Read more
Metal theft causes train delays and increased costs for DB
Metal thefts increasingly disrupt Deutsche Bahn’s (DB) freight transportation operations. Thieves are especially interested in removing copper cables, thus causing substantial damage to German railway infrastructure. The damage, in turn, results in significant delays for...Read more
DB Schenker to be sold as one unit, says German Transport Minister
The sale of Deutsche Bahn’s (DB) logistics subsidiary DB Schenker is entering a new phase. The supervisory board and DB management board decided to put the large freight forwarding company up for sale as a...Read more
Germany eyes EU financing for more rail with Central Asia
Germany and Central Asian countries are amid attempts to strengthen their trade cooperation and possibly increase rail connections. A few days ago, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with the heads of five Central Asian countries,...Read more
Germany launches colossal network upgrade, 40 routes renovated by 2030
InfrastructureDeutsche Bahn (DB) and the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMDV) are about to launch an enormous infrastructure upgrade programme from 2025 until 2030. Forty critical route sections are to be renovated,...Read more
EVG agrees to DB’s collective agreement, strikes averted
The vote has been cast. The ballots held by German trade union EVG resulted in the acceptance of Deutsche Bahn’s (DB) collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Despite EVG calling it “a clear vote by the membership”,...Read more
Germany pledges multi-billion investments in rail, concerns remain
The German Ministry of Transport (BMDV), led by Volker Wissing, recently approved an injection of around 27 billion euros to dedicate to the country’s rail sector for the period between 2024 and 2027. On the...Read more
DB could face 400 million euros in expenses to break ties with Huawei
German parties are discussing a potential ban on Huawei’s technology in rail. The ban would result in the replacement of the entire Huawei component in railways, which has been a vital part of Deutsche Bahn’s...Read more
Hit by the crisis DB Cargo Italia proceeds to staff layoffs and transfers
With prosperous times seemingly in the past, DB Cargo Italia is making some drastic decisions. The company will lay off and transfer personnel from three terminal locations in northwestern Italy: Domo2, Novara Boschetto and Turin-Orbassano....Read more
Looming rail strikes in Germany might happen in autumn
Rail strikes in Germany might occur next autumn if negotiations between trade union EVG and Deutsche Bahn (DB) do not reach satisfactory results. Striking in autumn rather than summer, according to the union, would cause...Read more
Another offer, another rejection: massive rail strikes Germany nearby
Despite the optimism on the side of Deutsche Bahn (DB) last week, the negotiations with labour union EVG seem to have reached rock bottom. EVG has rejected the DB offer and in response, the German...Read more
Analysis: will DB Cargo end up like SNCF Fret?
This week, an important European rail freight company was saved from possible sanctions by the European Commission through an uncompromising reorganisation plan. SNCF Fret, the French subsidiary of SNCF was under fire because it had...Read more
Another DB offer on the table for German railway workers
Deutsche Bahn has made a new proposal to labour union EVG. The offer includes, among other things, an inflation compensation. It is now up to the labour union to respond to the proposal. If the...Read more
Deutsche Bahn completes digital freight train test run
Deutsche Bahn (DB) has completed the first practical test of the so-called digital freight train. This test train was equipped with various prototypes of digital automatic couplers (DAC). The trial convoy ran throughout Europe for...Read more
DB’s locomotives at Munich North’s shunting yard will run on HVO
Deutsche Bahn’s (DB) shunting locomotives at the Munich-North shunting yard (Rangierbahnhof München Nord) will now be fuelled solely by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). “DB Energie has completely converted the refueling station at the Munich North...Read more
DB introduces tighter criteria for sleepers inspection
The various inspection rounds of sleepers across Germany in recent months have resulted in new, tightened procedures at Deutsche Bahn (DB) regarding future inspections. DB has stated that it will implement “stricter criteria for the...Read more
Railway employees feel mocked by DB’s collective bargaining offer
As the first round of collective wage bargaining between unions and DB is ongoing, the two sides are yet to find common ground. DB made a first offer to union EVG, representing the bulk of...Read more