The head of long-distance passenger transport for Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), Kurt Bauer, has advised Deutsche Bahn (DB) against re-entering the overnight train service market.
Speaking to the Tagesspiegel, Bauer stated that the new CEO of DB should prioritize more pressing matters than niche markets like overnight trains. He highlighted that DB already cooperates with ÖBB in operating Nightjet services across German rail lines, meaning they haven’t entirely exited the business. “Transferring product management of these trains to us is sensible” he added, shortly before German Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder is due to present a new strategy for the state-owned company.
Deutsche Bahn discontinued its own overnight train operations at the end of 2016. ÖBB subsequently took over portions of the sleeping and couchette cars, as well as certain routes. Since then, Austrian Nightjet trains, operating in collaboration with DB, have connected German cities with destinations in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France and the Netherlands. Despite calls from political figures, DB has not resumed independent overnight train services.
ÖBB is simultaneously moderating the expansion of its Nightjet network. The company will now procure 24, rather than the previously ordered 33, Nightjet trains from manufacturer Siemens. “Demand is there” Bauer explained, “but we are increasingly struggling to operate overnight trains”. He cited numerous construction projects in both Germany and Italy as creating significant operational challenges. “Our resources are eventually exhausted” he stated. Currently, no new destinations are being planned, as “we cannot grow at any cost if the quality suffers”. However, Bauer emphasized plans to increase capacity on existing routes.
