Wie die Deutsche Bahn chronische Verspätungen beheben will – DW – 23.12.2025

(Obligatory fuck CDU. They’re the reason we’re in this mess in the first place)

The article is a bit superficial: there’s very little about what is being done to fix the problems. Off the top of my head, some of the measures being proposed or implemented include:

* a general overhaul of nearly all of the most important long-distance lines
* simplifying the process of securing funding for critical projects
* reducing red tape to lessen the risk of projects taking decades just to get greenlit
* recruitment drives
* cutting out a large chunk of middle management to streamline decision-making processes
* creating a „common welfare oriented“ company to handle the infrastructure, meaning that any profit it makes must be re-invested into the infrastructure
* reforming the way contractors are handled so they cooperate better on a project, instead of each having a separate contract

There’s a lot more stuff, but I’m cautiously optimistic. I think the government has now got the message that a robust and reliable rail infrastructure is as crucial to the economy as a good road infrastructure is. The appointment of Evelyn Palla is a good sign: she has a good reputation, and so far the support of the train drivers‘ union.

The NIMBY-ism is too strong. The love of red tape too great.