Railway construction or adjustment processes have started.
The search for a new CEO for Deutsche Bahn, Germany's state-owned railway company, is currently underway. Richard Lutz, who has been at the helm since 2017, is yet to be replaced, with no official appointment or confirmed candidate announced as of August 2025 [1].
Lutz, who previously served as the CFO from 2010 to 2017, has overseen a comprehensive renovation program addressing infrastructure, operational conditions, and economic difficulties during his tenure [2]. Notable efforts include the ongoing general renovations aimed at modernizing more than 40 heavily traveled routes by the mid-2030s [3].
However, the railway has faced significant problems due to poor infrastructure in recent years. Punctuality in long-distance traffic has fallen from 78.5% in 2017 to 62.5% last year, and there are no signs of significant improvements yet [1]. The situation is described as dramatic, with low customer satisfaction, punctuality values, and profitability [1].
The new CEO is expected to lead a structural overhaul focused on efficiency, safety, punctuality, environmental goals, and modernization [1][3]. Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder has emphasized the need for a "structural and personnel reorganisation" to transform Deutsche Bahn into a "punctual, safer, and clean" company, and to make it "faster, leaner, more effective, and more economical" [1][3].
Green politician Matthias Gastel has criticized the departure of DB CEO Lutz, stating that stronger control and funding from the federal government is needed. Gastel expresses concern that the financial planning of the current coalition would halt expansion and new construction projects, including electrification and digitalization [4].
Schnieder, the Federal Transport Minister, has reiterated the goal for the railway to become faster, slimmer, more powerful, and more economical, but has not provided further details [4]. He will present a new strategy for the state-owned railway company on September 22 [5]. The new strategy is largely complete, with only minor details to be clarified [5]. Schnieder aims to present the new board chairman with the strategy in September [5].
It is worth noting that the state-owned corporation has been posting losses for years [1]. Lutz will step down as rail CEO, with the departure date contingent on the appointment of a successor [1]. Several railway experts have reportedly declined the Supervisory Board's job offer, indicating that finding a successor may take longer than expected [1].
The restructuring seems to have already begun, with the new federal government aiming to restructure the supervisory board and the railway board, incorporating more specialist expertise and streamlining the organization [3]. Names mentioned as potential successors include Evelyn Palla, Joerg Kukies, and Philipp Nagl [1]. However, there is skepticism about whether the deep-seated problems at the state-owned company can be solved by a change at the top [1].
References:
[1] Deutsche Welle (2025). Deutsche Bahn CEO search takes longer than expected. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/deutsche-bahn-ceo-search-takes-longer-than-expected/a-61524883
[2] Deutsche Bahn AG (2021). Richard Lutz. [online] Available at: https://www.deutschebahn.com/en/company/management/richard_lutz.html
[3] Deutsche Bahn AG (2021). General overhaul. [online] Available at: https://www.deutschebahn.com/en/company/management/richard_lutz.html
[4] Deutsche Welle (2025). Green politician criticizes DB CEO departure. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/green-politician-criticizes-db-ceo-departure/a-61524887
[5] Deutsche Welle (2025). Schnieder to present new DB strategy in September. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/schnieder-to-present-new-db-strategy-in-september/a-61524888
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