The traffic light coalition does not want to break up Deutsche Bahn. The planned changes are also designed in this spirit. The rail and transport union is imposing conditions.
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) is planning step-by-step reforms at Deutsche Bahn. First of all, on January 1, 2024, there is to be a new, public-interest-oriented infrastructure company, for which DB Netz AG and DB Station und Service AG are to be merged. A new joint stock company is planned under the project name “InfraGo”, as it was said on Monday from circles of the Ministry of Transport.
The income from this new company should be used for infrastructure, there should be no focus on maximizing profits. The aim is a high quality and customer orientation in the rail network and stations and an effective use of funds.
Further measures for a second step are being examined, it was said – above all for control by the federal government and for a new and more transparent financing architecture. The ministry is considering bundling funds from previously different sources into two central financing pots: one for the renovation of the existing network and one for expansion and new construction. For this purpose, a so-called service and financing agreement with the railways could be further developed.
Bahn remains an “integrated group”
In their coalition agreement, the SPD, Greens and FDP had announced the establishment of a new, public-interest-oriented infrastructure division that would be 100 percent owned by the state-owned Deutsche Bahn. The railway should remain as a so-called integrated group – there should be no separation of network and operation.
The chairman of the railway and transport union, Martin Burkert, told the German Press Agency on Monday that the establishment of an “InfraGo” would only be viable for the EVG if certain points were guaranteed: “The existence of the integrated group is our top priority – for this purpose, the domination and profit transfer agreements must be maintained. Work must continue to be awarded within the DB Group – that means secure and collectively agreed jobs, especially in the service sector. It is just as important to secure financing of over 45 billion euros by 2027.”
Difficult budget negotiations in sight
The heads of the traffic light coalition had determined at the end of March that Deutsche Bahn needed around 45 billion euros to cover the investment requirements by 2027. This investment requirement should be covered “as far as financially feasible”, among other things through the use of proportionate income from the CO2 surcharge of the truck toll. However, these revenues alone will not be sufficient to cover the investment needs. Difficult budget negotiations are currently underway in the coalition.
Dirk Flege, Managing Director of the Pro-Rail Alliance, told dpa about the new infrastructure company: “What must not happen is the merger of two parts of the company, and otherwise everything will continue as before. The most important thing is clear goals for the common good orientation. Clear goals also mean transparent funding streams.”
In the spring, a position paper by the Union on the railways caused a stir. It proposed breaking up the group. The infrastructure area with DB Netz, DB station and service as well as DB Energie should be completely separated from DB AG, the paper said. The rail network should be state-owned in the form of a GmbH, which should give the federal government more access to the expansion, new construction and conversion of the rail infrastructure.
Source: Stern
