Deutsche Bahn’s CEO, Richard Lutz, has presented a mixed assessment of the company’s performance through the first half of 2025. While acknowledging progress in financial efficiency attributed to successful cost management, Lutz conceded that improvements on key operational metrics remain elusive.
According to company disclosures, the reduction in ‘slow speed sections’ – areas requiring significantly reduced speed due to infrastructure issues – has accelerated beyond initial projections and more signaling posts have been modernized than originally planned. However, punctuality continues to be a persistent challenge, prompting Lutz to state that the current levels are “not acceptable.
Speculation surrounding potential leadership changes has intensified following discussions within the governing coalition, which included a commitment to a review of personnel within the company. Lutz has publicly stated he is focused on his responsibilities and not distracted by these discussions. He acknowledged past shortcomings, admitting he should have earlier emphasized the insufficiency of budgetary resources allocated to railway infrastructure.
The train drivers’ union, GDL, has publicly called for Lutz’s replacement. GDL Chairman Mario Reiß, while acknowledging Lutz’s personal fairness and financial acumen, asserted that Lutz lacks the necessary expertise to effectively address the company’s current difficulties and that he has contributed to the situation the company now faces.
Martin Burkert, Deputy Chairman of the Deutsche Bahn Supervisory Board and Chairman of the EVG rail union, refrained from offering direct support for Lutz. He underscored that management appointments are the prerogative of the company’s owners and that the relevant minister must determine with whom they can maintain a productive working relationship. Burkert dismissed suggestions of a lack of specialized knowledge within the Supervisory Board as unfounded and expressed concern regarding the insinuation.
