The head of the German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), Klaus Müller, has launched a scathing critique of Deutsche Bahn’s infrastructure management, signaling a growing political crisis surrounding the national rail operator. In an interview with the “Rheinische Post” Müller characterized the Bahn’s construction project management as “miserable” even acknowledging the immense and complex nature of the modernization efforts as a “surgery on an open heart”. However, he stressed that this process cannot come at the expense of continued passenger and freight transportation.
Müller’s central concern revolves around the consistently inadequate and often last-minute notification of planned construction work. According to the Agency’s data, Deutsche Bahn informed competing transportation providers of only 62% of planned closures over the summer months, a figure that plummeted to a concerning 55% during the late autumn period. This lack of transparency obstructs efficient planning for alternative transportation options and severely impacts the reliability of the broader German transport network.
The Bundesnetzagentur has already levied substantial fines – totaling €2.8 million – against InfraGO, Deutsche Bahn’s network subsidiary, due to deficient advance announcements of construction sites. Crucially, Müller reports that these fines have failed to induce meaningful change in the rail operator’s practices. The Agency is now escalating its response, implementing a system of penalty payments intended to force Deutsche Bahn to compensate all companies utilizing the rail network for disruption caused by late announcements. Furthermore, Müller indicated that, in cases of particularly short-notice construction plans, the Bundesnetzagentur will be prepared to block planned work altogether, a measure that Deutsche Bahn is currently contesting through legal action.
The situation highlights a deeper systemic problem within Deutsche Bahn and raises questions about accountability and oversight. The ongoing legal challenge from the rail operator suggests a reluctance to accept responsibility and potentially obstructs efforts to improve transparency and coordination. The Agency’s escalating measures suggest a potentially contentious period ahead, with the stability of Germany’s vital rail infrastructure hanging in the balance. Political pressure is mounting on the government to address the failings within Deutsche Bahn and ensure a functional rail network capable of meeting the country’s economic and mobility needs.
