Following the release of the railway company’s latest financial report, the passenger association Pro Bahn believes that the company is on the right path under its new chief executive, Evelyn Palla.
Chairman Detlef Neuß told the “Rheinische Post” on Saturday that Palla has stopped misleading passengers, no longer promising that everything will be fixed “in a short time”. He said she is being honest with both herself and the company.
Neuß added that, given the renewed billion‑euro losses, it is also the owner’s responsibility to secure more state investment in the rail network. He stressed that Palla will need political support and internal backing to reach her objectives, though it remains to be seen whether this will be effective.
He considered the recent rise in passenger numbers to be understandable: in local transport it stems from the popularity of the Deutschlandticket, while in long‑distance travel it is a result of traffic congestion on the roads. The chairman warned that high fuel prices are expected to draw even more passengers over Easter, a situation that will prove challenging. With no immediate way to create additional capacity, he said the rail company’s image will again hinge on whether it can handle the increased demand during the Easter period.
