The newly appointed CEO of Deutsche Bahn, Evelyn Palla, has detailed a long-delayed “immediate action plan” for the national rail operator, revealing a timeline that underscores the scale of the challenges facing the state-owned enterprise. In an interview with “Table Media”, Palla outlined a program slated to launch in January 2026, aiming to address widespread passenger dissatisfaction with service quality.
The plan, described as a significant overhaul, focuses on improving passenger comfort through enhanced amenities like improved dining car availability and better sanitation facilities on long-distance routes. Technological enhancements are also prioritized, with a commitment to streamlining information dissemination regarding platform changes and delays via the DB Navigator app and at train stations. Palla emphasized that this enhanced communication will be a key focus for 2026.
However, the announcement comes alongside stark admissions regarding internal inefficiencies and organizational bloat. Palla indicated a forthcoming restructuring effort aimed at dismantling bureaucratic layers, explicitly mentioning plans for personnel reductions. She criticized the current centralized decision-making process, arguing that it stifles the effectiveness of talented local managers and workforce operatives vital to the railway’s infrastructure and daily operations. The implicit acknowledgement of overstaffing is likely to generate political scrutiny and union opposition.
Despite the promised reforms, Palla cautioned against expecting immediate results concerning the notoriously poor punctuality record of Deutsche Bahn. She explained that the number of ongoing construction sites across the 40,000-kilometer rail network must increase from the current 26,000 to 28,000 in the coming year – a necessary but disruptive step before substantial improvements can be realized. She projected that noticeable gains in punctuality will not be evident until 2027. Recent October data indicates that only slightly more than half of long-distance trains arrive on time, with the railway’s own definition of “on time” stretching to a generous five minutes and 59 seconds delayed. This prolonged timetable of improvement raises questions about the feasibility of the ambitious targets and whether the public can reasonably expect substantial change within the timeframe given, potentially exacerbating political pressure on the government and the rail operator.
