Deutsche Bahn Seeks €148 Billion to Modernize Aging Rail Network

Germany's rail operator pushes for unprecedented funding as renovations like the Riedbahn project highlight progress but reveal persistent challenges.

Deutsche Bahn's board is requesting an additional €148 billion from a special fund over 12 years, on top of €142 billion already pledged by the government.
The Riedbahn renovation, costing €1.5 billion, has reduced disruptions but failed to fully resolve delays due to network congestion and insufficient tracks.
Germany's rail network faces a maintenance backlog of €92.3 billion, a result of decades of underinvestment.
Governance hurdles persist as DB InfraGO operates under the railway board rather than direct government oversight, complicating strategic decision-making.
Experts warn that launching numerous large-scale projects simultaneously could inflate construction costs due to limited industry capacity.