In view of the problems at Deutsche Bahn, the Union faction in the Bundestag proposes a split of the group. The areas of network, train stations and the energy sector should be separated from the group and bundled in a federal infrastructure GmbH, reported the “Augsburger Allgemeine” (Monday edition). “Infrastructure and transport are separated from each other,” she quoted from a parliamentary group concept paper.
The federal government should be able to decide independently of the railway company which routes are to be renovated, upgraded or newly built. According to the Union’s proposal, the local, long-distance and freight transport departments will remain with the train and will also be streamlined. “DB’s holding company will be dissolved and the previous DB structure with 740 holdings and subsidiaries will be unbundled,” the newspaper continued.
The parliamentary group’s transport expert, Ulrich Lange (CSU), told the “Augsburger Allgemeine” that with the current structure, the train could neither meet the current business nor the ambitious growth targets in long-distance and freight transport. “The train driver sees what he experiences when travelling, for example unpunctual, canceled or overcrowded trains, poor internet and cell phone reception. Almost everyone can sing a song about that.”
The breakup of the train would mean that private competitors would have better chances of snatching market shares from the top dog, explained Lange. “The separation of network and operation will have a positive effect on competition, since providers other than Deutsche Bahn will be able to use the rail network more than before.”
Lange asked the traffic light coalition to follow his proposal. “After all, this is about setting the course for the next few decades,” he told the newspaper. In contrast to the government, the CDU and CSU advocate keeping the freight forwarding subsidiary Schenker with the train.
Schenker is the earnings pearl of the train and contributed the lion’s share of the operating profit last year, while long-distance and local transport and the freight division made losses. “As an internationally active logistics service provider, DB Schenker must remain in federal hands. This is of strategic importance, especially in view of competitors such as China,” the newspaper quoted from the parliamentary group paper.
In a special report for the Bundestag, the Federal Court of Auditors also called for infrastructure and operations to be separated at Deutsche Bahn. The owner federal government must “restructure the group effectively, comprehensively and quickly”, he needs control over the rail network.
