In future, the train will become even more attractive nationwide with a new frequency. It should start with the change of schedule. However, the system will no longer work properly this decade. Meanwhile, Union and SPD are struggling to adjust the company's articles of association.
Deutsche Bahn plans to offer long-distance connections between Berlin and Hamburg every 30 minutes this year. As Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer told "Bild am Sonntag", the so-called German tactic on the route between the two metropolises should begin earlier than planned in December 2020.
"With the change of timetable in December, the train wants to focus on the first route and run every half hour between Berlin and Hamburg," said the CSU politician. Further routes are planned.
For the "Germany cycle", rail traffic is to be gradually converted to a nationwide cycle schedule. The goal is to have a coordinated train schedule throughout the country by 2030, which should make rail transport more predictable, more reliable and therefore more attractive to customers, for example by making it easier to change train stations. A 30-minute cycle is to be introduced on the major main arteries.
Meanwhile, the SPD is putting pressure on planned changes to the statutes of the federally owned group. "Our goal is a stronger focus on the common good," said SPD parliamentary group vice-president Sören Bartol. It is also about less pressure to yield and a stronger focus on the economic benefits of the railway. "That does not speak against profitability. But there must be no maximizing profits at the expense of climate protection and customer orientation." The Union also wants to talk about an "update" for the statutes and brings targets into play.
Union and SPD had agreed in the coalition agreement of 2018 to lay down goals such as an increase in the market share of rail in the statutes of Deutsche Bahn and its subsidiaries for the rail network and stations. The board of directors should also be obliged to fulfill the goals.
Bartol emphasized that the amendment to the statutes had been agreed for this legislative period and was an important transport policy goal. "After the summer break that has to be solved."
Union parliamentary group deputy Ulrich Lange said that one has to look at the extent to which the infrastructure and the transport companies have to be differentiated in this context – in other words the regional and long-distance trains of the train. It is also about specifying the federal responsibility for corporate management, which the Federal Constitutional Court emphasized in 2017.
Railway with an important role in the climate package
The general orientation of the transport giant, which has been operating as a stock corporation since 1994, has been the subject of controversy for years. The corporate articles of association have so far only designated activity in the various business areas as a "subject of the company".
The railway has an important role in the federal climate protection program and receives an additional billions for it. The group wants to invest in trains. Network bottlenecks are to be eliminated and punctuality is to be improved. The railway should receive further financial aid due to loss of revenue in the Corona crisis. On Tuesday, Scheuer wants to sign a "rail pact" with the rail industry and associations to strengthen all train traffic in Germany.
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