Dilapidated rail network: head of railway subsidiary sees turning point for infrastructure

Deutsche Bahn (DB) invested almost 17 billion euros in tracks, train stations and other parts of the infrastructure last year – and, according to its own statements, has thereby reached a milestone. “Investments of this magnitude have not been made in the rail network for many years,” said the head of the rail infrastructure company InfraGo, Philipp Nagl, to the German Press Agency. “This is simply the turning point that is needed.”

For the first time, the investment backlog, which has been growing for years, is no longer increasing, emphasized Nagl. “We will reach the tipping point, namely that we will not allow the infrastructure to continue to age.” At the same time, Nagl made it clear that the federally owned DB would need a similar amount of money for better infrastructure in order to reverse the trend in the coming years.

“For now it won’t get any worse”

“If we continue to invest at this level over the next two or three years, then you will notice across the entire network that the infrastructure’s susceptibility to failure will decrease and the quality of train traffic will increase.” However, you are at the beginning. “For now it’s not going to get any worse and that’s a success,” said the manager. After so many years “going down the stairs into the basement,” it now has to go up again.

In total, the federal government provided DB with around 16.9 billion euros for infrastructure this year. In previous years it was almost always less than 10 billion euros. It is unclear how much money the railway will receive from the federal government in 2025, as the budget for the next year after the traffic lights are switched off is not in place. It is also unclear how the DB will be equipped by a new federal government after the new Bundestag elections in February.

1,851 switches and 1,940 kilometers of tracks

According to railway information, 1,851 switches were replaced this year – an increase of a good 30 percent compared to the previous year. In addition, 1,940 kilometers of tracks were laid and 872 stations were built. The work ranged from new elevators and benches to weather shelters and barrier-free platforms. 113 train stations have been expanded into so-called train stations of the future according to the latest standards.

One of the best-known construction sites is the general renovation of the Riedbahn between Frankfurt and Mannheim. In order to completely renew the aging and overloaded railway line, it was completely closed for around five months. By 2030, 40 additional important corridors are to be completely renovated.

The DB subsidiary InfraGo was founded at the beginning of the year and is intended to pursue not only economic but also public welfare goals. This should at least relieve them to some extent of the pressure to make profits.