Deutsche Bahn warns of worsening train delays by 2030 without urgent funding

Deutsche Bahn has warned that train punctuality could drop sharply by 2030 without urgent action. The company’s CEO, Evelyn Palla, is now pushing for a major increase in federal funding to prevent further declines. Current projections suggest delays will worsen significantly if investment stays at present levels. In 2023, Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder set a clear target: Deutsche Bahn must achieve 70% punctuality by the end of 2029. But internal documents reveal the company will miss this goal unless funding rises. Without extra money, punctuality could even fall below 60% by 2030.

Palla argues that an additional €13 billion would secure the improvements needed. This sum would allow Deutsche Bahn to meet Schnieder’s target and complete other key projects in his rail agenda. If the government matches its current funding levels, the company could still boost punctuality by five percentage points—but this would leave the 70% goal out of reach. The rail network’s condition is central to the debate. Deutsche Bahn insists that without further investment, infrastructure problems will worsen, leading to more delays. The company’s warnings come as passenger frustration over late trains continues to grow.

The federal government now faces a decision on whether to allocate the extra €13 billion requested. Without it, Deutsche Bahn’s punctuality will decline further, falling well short of the 2029 target. The outcome will directly affect millions of daily train passengers across Germany.