(Berlin, April 21, 2006) Deutsche Bahn Group has continued its successful business development of last year in the first quarter of this year as well and has once again been able to clearly increase its revenues by its own efforts. This effect was strengthened in particular by including the newly acquired BAX Global logistics activities for the first time so that the revenues of 7.1 billion euros in the first quarter of 2006 were 1.2 billion euros or some 20 percent above those in the same quarter of the previous year. On a comparable basis, revenue growth was just over 0.5 billion euros or just under nine percent. "In view of the still restrained economic situation and high energy prices, this is a very good result. It makes us confident for the remaining months as well", said Hartmut Mehdorn, Chairman and CEO of the Board of Management of DB AG. "As promised, our efforts to prepare for a future initial public offering are on target."
The Passenger Transport division was able to increase transport performance once again; the number of passenger-kilometers went up by some four percent. The Railion business unit even achieved double-digit growth. The trend of increased use by external railways also continued in the infrastructure units. In the Transportation and Logistics division, DB Group remained on its course of growth, benefiting above all from international business.
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased by 186 million euros to 346 million euros. Also the operating income after interest of 130 million euros was 168 million euros above the previous year's result.