Railroad management change: Who assumes leadership role?
In the ongoing search for a new CEO at Deutsche Bahn, several unsolicited applications have been received, but the identity and seriousness of the applicants remain unclear. The focus, however, appears to be on Evelyn Palla, the current head of DB Regio, who is expected to succeed Richard Lutz pending formal approval by the supervisory board.
Other potential candidates mentioned include Michael Peter (CEO of Siemens Mobility), Martin Seidenberg (CEO of International Distributions Services), and Anna-Theresa Korbutt. While their involvement in the race is uncertain, Evelyn Palla seems to have taken the lead.
The federal government is keen on keeping the state-owned Bahn on a tighter leash and steering it better in the future. This push comes after the departure of Richard Lutz, who was unable to address deep crises on several fronts, and whose tenure ended in mid-August.
Meanwhile, passengers have been grappling with deteriorating punctuality in long-distance traffic due to dilapidated and overloaded rail infrastructure. In densely populated hubs, regional trains are often very crowded, a problem that has been exacerbated by the reduction of services by many transport associations due to rising costs and insufficient financing.
In response, trade unions are demanding a more consistent focus on customers, including more staff in direct contact with travelers on trains and at stations. The focus is also on the Bahn Infrastructure division InfraGo, which is to become more independent from the company.
On Monday, Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) is set to present key points of a reform for Deutsche Bahn. Schnieder has stated that a candidate has been found, but legal reasons prevent them from being presented yet. It remains uncertain if the new CEO and a new strategy for Deutsche Bahn will be announced on Monday.
Necessary construction work often leads to months-long restrictions, adding to the challenges faced by the rail service. The title of Schnieder's new Bahn strategy is "Agenda for satisfied customers on the rails," indicating a focus on improving the customer experience.
However, it is questionable whether the numerous problems at the railway are fully understood by the applicants. The final decision on the CEO position lies with the company's supervisory board, which will meet next on Tuesday. The CEO position at Deutsche Bahn is taking shape after a month-long search, but the road ahead is still fraught with challenges.
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