Deutsche Bahn slows pace of major rail line overhauls, says CEO Evelyn Palla

Deutsche Bahn has indicated that its timetable for the general renovation of important railway lines will be extended. CEO Evelyn Palla said a review of the concept showed that executing four full-scale corridor upgrades per year exceeded capacity and funding limits. The company now expects to complete two, possibly three, major overhauls annually, adjusting the schedule to match the federal special-fund budget.

The updated plan will be aligned with the Federal Ministry of Transport and presented in the near future, though Palla declined to give specific years. The programme, which started in the latter half of 2024, originally targeted completion of around 40 selected routes by the early 2030s, later revised to 2036, but the new pacing may push the finish beyond the 2030s. Palla also stressed the need for better coordination between construction and operations, and for preparing detour routes to handle increased traffic during works.