Overview
- Deutsche Bahn confirmed long-distance punctuality of 60.1% for 2025, down from 62.5% in 2024 and far below 2015’s 74.4% benchmark.
- Monthly performance improved to 61.7% in December, the best since May, after lows of 51.5% in October and 54.5% in November.
- The company attributes delays primarily to extensive construction on a deteriorated rail network and to overloaded long-distance hubs.
- New CEO Evelyn Palla has cut senior management, slimmed boards and moved more responsibility to regions, targeting at least 60% in 2026 and 70% by 2029.
- The federal government plans €23 billion in rail investment for 2026 to support upgrades, and a holiday work pause lifted punctuality to about 75% on December 24–26.