Overview

• The supervisory board approved Palla’s appointment with a simple majority despite EVG opposition, and she takes office on October 1.
• Palla previously led DB Regio and is reported by dpa to have a five‑year contract to succeed Richard Lutz.
• Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder’s pick of Dirk Rompf to head DB InfraGo faces resistance, with the InfraGo board vote still pending.
• The ministry’s strategy lowers the long‑distance punctuality goal to 70% by end‑2029 and launches three immediate programs for cleaner, safer stations, working onboard facilities and clearer passenger information.
• Schnieder seeks stronger ministerial control of InfraGo, while legally earmarked infrastructure funds limit financing for new lines and the network renovation timeline now runs to 2036.