Deutsche Bahn: Railway Supervisory Board questions concept of corridor renewals

The German railway operator Deutsche Bahn’s supervisory board has raised concerns over the current approach to corridor renewals, which involve lengthy track closures. This criticism comes from Ralf Damde, a representative of the DB Regio works council, who questions the effectiveness and cost of these long-term maintenance projects. According to reports, some stretches of rail have been closed for months during the renewal process, leading to disruptions for both staff and passengers. Damde, who also serves on the supervisory board of Deutsche Bahn, argues that the current model is outdated. He emphasized the need to return to a system where trains can continue operating while necessary repairs are carried out. “We must get back to the idea of running trains and simultaneously carrying out renovations,” he stated. His comments reflect growing frustration among workers, including locomotive drivers, customer service representatives, workshop employees, and dispatchers, who are often left waiting for tracks to reopen after prolonged closures. The issue of high costs associated with corridor renewals has also drawn attention. Damde pointed out that nearly all components along a track are replaced during these projects, even when parts are still functional. “It doesn’t make sense to remove a part that is still working well,” he said, highlighting what he sees as unnecessary expenses. The concept of corridor renewals was originally introduced by former railway chief Richard Lutz and former Transport Minister Volker Wissing. Initially, the plan aimed to renovate more than 40 corridors by 2030. However, this schedule has since been extended. While several rail lines have already undergone renovation, delays and unexpectedly high costs have emerged. These challenges have led to calls for reassessment of the strategy. Former Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder, from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), had previously expressed a desire to review the overall concept. His successor, Steffen Bilger, also from the CDU, continues to show skepticism toward the project. Both ministers have questioned whether the current approach aligns with broader transportation goals and public expectations. Deutsche Bahn’s top executive, Evelyn Palla, has announced plans to evaluate the renewal strategy. She aims to reallocate priorities, improve scheduling, and gradually reintroduce services after each renovation. Despite these proposed changes, Palla maintains her support for the general framework of corridor renewals, indicating that the core objective remains intact. The debate over corridor renewals reflects a wider tension within the transport sector regarding how best to balance infrastructure upgrades with operational continuity. With ongoing discussions and potential adjustments, the future direction of these large-scale projects remains uncertain. As the situation develops, further clarity on the revised approach will likely emerge in coming weeks.