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Be careful at the edge of the platform: An ICE train attendant gives the signal for departure at Cologne Central Station
Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa
Because Deutsche Bahn receives significantly less money from the federal budget than originally planned, the company's board of directors is looking for savings options. “With the savings efforts, further ICE orders may also be up for grabs,” said Martin Burkert, deputy chairman of the supervisory board at Deutsche Bahn and also head of the railway and transport union EVG, to the dpa news agency. Bahn boss Richard Lutz is looking for savings potential in all areas of the group. The resulting list should be presented to the railway supervisory board at the end of March, said Burkert.
In recent months, the railway has rejuvenated its fleet with numerous new ICEs from the ICE 4 and ICE 3neo series. By 2030, the average age of the ICE fleet is expected to fall from the current 18 to 12 years. There is great hope in the group that a younger fleet will also contribute to fewer disruptions and therefore more punctuality.
By the end of the decade, more than 450 ICE trains from the federally owned company are expected to be on the network - significantly more than currently. In addition, the development of a new express train was put out to tender that can achieve high speeds of 280 to 300 kilometers per hour and at the same time offers level entry at the same level as the platform, i.e. without steps.
As a result of a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court, the federal government had to plug billions in holes in the 2024 budget and in the climate and transformation fund. The railway was originally promised up to 45 billion euros to make the infrastructure fit in the coming years. A good third of them are not yet secured.
hen/dpa