Overview

• The transport minister said he will present a new rail strategy on 22 September and aims to introduce a new Deutsche Bahn leader on the same date.
• The vacancy follows the early end of Richard Lutz’s tenure, with Patrick Schnieder saying there are sufficient candidates and that the best available choice will be selected.
• Key challenges cited include Deutsche Bahn’s heavy debt load, a deteriorated network and punctuality problems, with more than half of long‑distance trains affected in July.
• The coalition plans changes to the supervisory board, and Schnieder expects structural reforms to be underway by the end of the year.
• Beyond rail, the agenda includes renovating at least 4,000 autobahn bridges with simplified procurement from 2026 and shifting more freight to waterways despite increasing low‑water risks on the Rhine and Mosel.