“System is not in good condition”: Swiss railway boss suffers from German customers

“System not in good condition”
Swiss railway boss suffers with German customers

Deutsche Bahn is not in good condition, and they also know this abroad. The head of the Swiss railway finds clear words. Delayed trains are not allowed to enter the country because “a good service must be offered from the border onwards”.

Delays, renovation backlogs, financial problems: Deutsche Bahn’s difficulties are also being noticed abroad. “Your country has a very complex system that is not in good condition,” said Swiss railway boss Vincent Ducrot to the “Tagesspiegel” (Friday). “I feel for the dedicated railway workers and the customers.”

Switzerland is known for comparatively punctual trains. Since last year, it has been stopping significantly late trains from Germany in Basel in order not to disrupt its own operations. The manager explained: “The DB is responsible up to the border. From then on I have to offer my customers a good service.” Instead of the delayed German trains, Swiss Railways has its own trains starting on time, travelers from the delayed German trains have to reschedule – and switch to subsequent connections.

Ducrot’s analysis of the railways in Germany: “Too little has been done for the network. This is taking its toll today.” German politicians are also not sufficiently involved here. “First there was a lot of money for the railway, then the plan was overturned, now people are desperately trying to find new funds. You have to secure this in the long term.”

From Ducrot’s point of view, the railway is not digitized enough. The head of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) also considers the German group structure to be a problem, as it divides infrastructure, passenger transport and freight transport into different companies. “It’s only understandable that people then talk to each other less and look for themselves first.”

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