Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced its first loss since 2003 despite recording annual sales of more than €40 billion for the first time.
Boosted by a rise in long-distance passenger numbers, DB’s revenues increased by 1.9 per cent to €40.5 billion in 2015.
But despite record revenues, the group reported a net loss of €1.3 billion as a result “special write-downs” in its rail freight business, driver strikes and non-recurring costs associated with a wider restructuring of the business.
Operating profit was also affected, falling by 16.6 per cent from 2014 to €1.76 billion.
Although long-distance passenger numbers increased by 2.2 per cent, DB Regio saw a decline in the number of travellers using short-distance services.
One positive area was infrastructure investment, which increased by 2.4 per cent to €9.3 billion.
DB chief executive Rüdiger Grube said: “As happy as we are with these positive developments, a self-critical look shows us that we did not achieve the targets we set.”
Although there was an increase in long-distance passenger numbers, DB still seems intent on dropping their sleeper trains, a very short-sighted management decision. As a frequent user of these trains when in Germany, I have often had difficulty in getting reservations because the trains were fully booked. The plan to drop the sleeper trains makes little sense from the perspective of public service. The trains meet a definite need for which there is no feasible alternative. Tourists and EURAIL Pass holders frequently use the trains, as do business people and other regular riders. This proposed act by DB goes against the current “roads to rails” efforts by the European Railway Commission. The decision needs to be changed and the overnight sleeper trains retained, if not even expanded!