“Restart” of Deutsche Bahn

The central theme of the “restart” is strengthening the entre­preneurial focus at all levels of DB Group. To this end, the business units are being given greater autonomy and decision-making authority is being decentralized in a targeted manner. Operational management is primarily carried out by line man­agers based on clearly defined objectives. The transfer of the S3 restructuring program’s components to decentralized man­agement and direct on-site responsibility also follows this principle. The “restart” also includes a new Group structure that was approved by the relevant bodies in December 2025.

• Downsizing of the Management Board: As of January 1, 2026, the Management Board consists of only six Board divisions. The two Board divisions, Digitalization and Tech­nology, and Infrastructure, were dissolved.
• Streamlining the organizational structure: At the levels below the Management Board, many functions and de­partments are being eliminated. As a result, an entire intermediate level between the Management Board and first management level was eliminated. In addition, the number of organizational units at the first management level was significantly reduced from 43 to 22 as of January 1, 2026.
• Reducing overhead: Staff reductions in Group man­agement are to continue. Specific target figures will be developed in the first half of 2026.
• Streamlining of structures in the business units: DB Long-Distance and DB Regional are also streamlining their decision-making structures. The independent marketing divisions within the respective Management Boards were dissolved as of January 1, 2026 (DB Regional) and February 1, 2026 (DB Long-Distance), and their respective respon­sibilities were distributed among the other divisions.
• New DB InfraGO Management Board: To better address the task of modernizing the rail infrastructure, the number of Management Board members at the common good-oriented DB InfraGO AG was also reduced from eight to six as of January 1, 2026. Going forward, transport and construction will once again fall under a single Board division – and as of January 1, 2026, regional managers have also been reinstated to coordinate track closures and operations in a way that best serves the interests of all rail transport companies.
• Quality management as a CEO responsibility: A division for “Quality Management” was established directly under the CEO as of January 1, 2026. To achieve DB Group’s “restart” target of increased local entrepreneurship, DB Group intends to establish a new management system for quality and profitability at all levels. Instead of relying on a compr­ehensive overarching program with a broad set of metrics, responsibility for quality and profitability targets should be embedded directly within the line management of the business units.
• Realignment of internal service providers: In the future, DB Group intends to align its internal service providers more closely with the needs of its business units. To this end, corresponding target concepts will be developed in the first half of 2026.