Deutsche Bahn's freight division is facing hurdles in meeting the ambitious targets set out in its "Strong Cargo" concept for 2030, according to an internal document reported by Der Spiegel magazine. Sigrid Nikutta, the Deutsche Bahn board member responsible for freight, has admitted that the planned increase in volume will not be achieved due to a number of internal and external challenges.
Nikutta stated, "It is necessary to make adjustments to the planned volume of services for the next few years, "a move that will result in "lower staffing requirements than originally anticipated”. This revelation marks a significant setback for the railway company, as the German federal government has been pushing for an expansion of rail freight traffic from the current 19 percent to 25 percent by 2030. In response to these challenges, Nikutta is proposing job cuts to the supervisory board.
Currently, the fate of 1,200 managerial positions and 400 train driver positions within the rail subsidiary DB Cargo hangs in the balance. Potential solutions include early retirement or transitioning to other roles within the railway. However, internal railway documents indicate that only 75 percent of train drivers can realistically be absorbed by DB Cargo subsidiaries.
In addition to staffing challenges, Deutsche Bahn's combined transport business, where trains pick up containers from ships or trucks for onward carriage, is also set to undergo significant changes. Nikutta has pointed out that private competitors are making profits in this sector while the railways are making losses. To address this, container transport is being reorganized, with the business previously managed by DB Cargo being transferred to the division's two subsidiaries, where working time regulations are less strict.
