The German rail company, Deutsche Bahn, has warned of potential disruptions to regional transport services as a result of growing competition in long-distance rail travel. Harmen van Zijderveld, the regional director of Deutsche Bahn, informed “Politico” that key transportation hubs, including Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg, are already struggling under severe capacity pressures.
The market challenge comes from the Italian railway company Italo, which plans to enter Deutsche Bahn’s domestic market. Italo has announced intentions to operate trains starting in 2028. These planned services include hourly connections between Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, and Dortmund, as well as bi-hourly service links between Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg.
Van Zijderveld explained that due to existing operational priorities, the addition of new long-distance services will necessitate thinning out regional routes or lead directly to increases in delays and missed connections. He warned that heightened competition in long-distance travel, which he described as introducing a “crowbar” could have a negative impact on millions of commuters.
Currently, Deutsche Bahn commands approximately a 95% market share in long-distance transit. Officials anticipate a crucial decision from the Federal Network Agency regarding Italo’s potential market entry in the upcoming weeks.
The rail executive stressed the critical role regional transport plays, noting that the company mobilizes nearly five million people daily through regional services, all of whom rely on the existing offerings. He cautioned authorities not to overlook the importance of this established service.
While stating they are not opposed to competition, Van Zijderveld cautioned against the hurried approval of new providers. He emphasized the need for an orderly transition to prevent detrimental consequences for millions of daily commuters. Furthermore, he underlined that public transportation represents an essential part of societal functioning.
Deutsche Bahn is advocating for a minimum five-year transition period for the authorization of new long-distance rivals. The company noted that Germany must implement the EU capacity regulation by 2031. It views this process as an opportunity to strategically reorganize rail traffic in such a way that all travelers benefit, rather than just a select few.
