Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer requires Deutsche Bahn to solve its problems faster and more efficiently. In a letter to the CEO, the CSU politician sets an ultimatum: Richard Lutz is to submit by November 14, concrete measures against delays, train cancellations and staff shortages. The recent medium and longer-term announcements would have to be implemented much faster, it says in the letter, the news agency dpa present. First the "Bild am Sonntag" reported.
Scheuer did not want to comment on the letter. Also by the railway it was said, one does not speak in principle to an internal exchange. In the letter Scheuer addresses several railway areas in which far-reaching changes are urgently needed. The overview:
- DB Regio: Especially the regional traffic suffers from lack of staff, train cancellations or delays. In addition, Lutz will explain "how DB Regio can be permanently put in a position to win more tenders, and how to deal with the particularly deficient branch of the DB Regio Bus".
- Road network: Scheuer also requires the federal government's firm schedule to maintain the infrastructure, which is too slow and needs to be expanded.
- Freight transport: In rail freight transport, which is bundled in the Group division DB Cargo, Scheuer has the following deficiencies: "stationary trains, poor vehicle material, shortage of staff, non-functioning production structure". Again, he calls for a "clear and verifiable concept".
- Executive floor: The leadership also scolds Scheuer in the letter: "Inefficient management levels should be reduced with the goal of a flat and clear hierarchy to get easier decision-making."
The railway has been under pressure for some time, because there is an investment backlog in the rail network. Train delays and cancellations were a major problem last year. At the same time, the group is constantly entering new passenger records. Scheuer and Lutz have already exchanged views on the problems and possible solutions in several crisis meetings.
Will scouring distract from toll-disaster?
The Green Bundestag member Matthias Gastel accuses Scheuer to want to distract with the letter of their own missteps. "The Minister of Transport, who reveals only the bare essentials in the diesel scandal and the irregularities in the foreigner's toll, is now trying to mimic determination at Deutsche Bahn," criticized Gastel. (Read more about the allegations here.)
Scheuer had concluded contracts in 2018 in connection with the planned toll, before it was even clear whether this will endure before the European Court of Justice. The federal government threatens claims for damages of 300 million euros. Meanwhile, a committee of inquiry is about to be scared. On Saturday he secured in the "Passauer Neue Presse" to cooperate with the committee.
Scheuer received support from the FDP traffic expert Christian Jung: "Even in the coalition factions at the federal level, the patience with the railway leadership is over.The confidence of individual board directors anyway through the unresolved affair of illegal consultancy contracts with the railway in recent years playful."
Deutsche Bahn had provided numerous top managers with consulting contracts - after they had actually left. All in all, several million euros flowed without the knowledge of the Supervisory Board.