Germany news: Deutsche Bahn returns to profit
07/30/2026 July 30, 2026 Deutsche Bahn returns to profit in core business Deutsche Bahn has returned to profit in its core rail business for the
07/30/2026 July 30, 2026 Deutsche Bahn returns to profit in core business Deutsche Bahn has returned to profit in its core rail business for the first time in seven years, the state-owned company said Thursday, confirming earlier media reports (see entry below). The rail operator reported a net profit of €147 million (about $169 million) in the first half of 2026, compared with a loss of €760 million during the same period last year.
Operating profit improved by €650 million to €415 million. "For the first time in seven years, our rail business is back in the black," Deutsche Bahn chief executive Evelyn Palla said in a statement. However, Palla said she would only be satisfied "when the quality of day-to-day rail services is also up to scratch." Rising passenger numbers also helped increase revenue by almost 2% to €13.6 billion, as people boarded trains rather than drive amid high gas prices spurred by the war in the Middle East.
Deutsche Bahn attributed the improved results to its ongoing restructuring program, which includes cost-cutting measures and job reductions among senior management and internal service providers. The company has struggled in recent years with poor punctuality, aging infrastructure and heavy financial losses. It recorded a net loss of more than €1 billion in 2025. In the first half of this year, just 59% of long-distance trains arrived on time, 4 percentage points less than last year.
The figure does not include trains that are canceled. A train is considered on time if it pulls in within 6 minutes of its scheduled arrival time.
The BriefWire