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Image: Sebastian Gollnow/dpa/picture allianceImage: Sebastian Gollnow/dpa/picture alliance

Deutsche Bahn

Founded in 1994, Germany's state-owned national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, covers regional, national and international passenger and cargo routes. The company employs more than 300,000 people.

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View of a German high-speed train next to a platform of the Gare de l'Est train station in Paris

View of a German high-speed train next to a platform of the Gare de l'Est train station in Paris

Direct rail line connecting Berlin and Paris launches

Rail operators say the connection is a symbol of "close friendship" between the two countries.

A view of a high-speed train service launches by Deutsche Bahn

A view of a high-speed train service launches by Deutsche Bahn

Berlin-Paris high speed rail route launched

The 8 hour journey goes through Frankfurt and Strasbourg and has been hailed as a symbol of German-French friendship.

A Trenitalia train at Bari Central Station in Italy

A Trenitalia train at Bari Central Station in Italy

Trenitalia tops list of Europe's rail operators — study

A new study has ranked Italy's Trenitalia as Europe's best rail operator, with Eurostar coming in last.

The back of a high-speed ICE train, red lights showing, as it rolls along some tracks against a sunset sky

The back of a high-speed ICE train, red lights showing, as it rolls along some tracks against a sunset sky

Deutsche Bahn: Ghost trains latest signal of railway woes

Dissatisfaction with Deutsche Bahn has been growing for years. These are the latest episodes in the ongoing DB drama.

A train of German railways rushing by a rail construction site

A train of German railways rushing by a rail construction site

German political instability stalls DB's punctuality drive

Instability in Berlin has knocked Deutsche Bahn's campaign to address poor public perception off track.

The banking tower of Commerzbank in Frankfurt

The banking tower of Commerzbank in Frankfurt

Germany's prolonged recession makes firms takeover targets

As more and more companies struggle in the downturn, they are becoming the focus of merger and acquisition specialists.

A Regional Express train at Cologne Central Station

A Regional Express train at Cologne Central Station

Germany: Cologne Central Station to close to train traffic

Construction work will leave the German city nearly entirely cut off from rail services between Friday and Saturday.

An ICE 4 intercity train is travelling near the city from Hamburg in the direction of Berlin

An ICE 4 intercity train is travelling near the city from Hamburg in the direction of Berlin

New train to link Berlin and Paris in 8 hours

The first direct high-speed train service between both cities will be running from December.

A German regional train

A German regional train

Germany increases 'Deutschlandticket' price to €58

The monthly travel pass allows unlimited trips on local public transport and will cost €9 more in 2025.

A large crowd of people waiting on a train platform in Berlin for a long-distance service to Cologne. August 6, 2024.

A large crowd of people waiting on a train platform in Berlin for a long-distance service to Cologne. August 6, 2024.

German minister wants DB to make cuts and trains run on time

Transport minister wants short-term punctuality improvements, layoffs and an improved bottom line from Deutsche Bahn.

A train arriving at a crowded platform

A train arriving at a crowded platform

German rail woes: How can Deutsche Bahn turn things around?

Years of neglect and chronic underinvestment have left Germany's rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, in poor shape.

Passengers on a train platform waiting to board a train

Passengers on a train platform waiting to board a train

Corporate values: Why do companies bother saying 'sorry'?

Saying "sorry" can be hard. For companies admitting mistakes can be a matter of survival. Sometimes customers want more.

Sign at a Berlin station blaming delays and cancellations on vandalism

Sign at a Berlin station blaming delays and cancellations on vandalism

Berlin train services disrupted, vandalism suspected

A fire has severely disrupted the rail service between the Berlin's main railway station and the district of Spandau.

ICE high-speed trains of German state rail carrier Deutsche Bahn stand parked during a nationwide strike

ICE high-speed trains of German state rail carrier Deutsche Bahn stand parked during a nationwide strike

German rail firm Deutsche Bahn plunges deeper into red

The operator saw heavy losses in the first part of 2024, with significantly fewer passengers on long-distance trains.

Crowds of passengers photographed on a train platform in Hamburg

Crowds of passengers photographed on a train platform in Hamburg

Germany shuts key train route for 5 months of renovation

Deutsche Bahn traffic between Frankfurt and Mannheim is halted until mid-December due to a modernization project.

Deutschland Deutsche Bahn Euro 2024

Deutschland Deutsche Bahn Euro 2024

Euro 2024: Deutsche Bahn took on too much, minister says

German train operator Deutsche Bahn failed to live up to expectations, according to the country's transport minister.

Stuttgart main station platform with passengers as ICE train arrives

Stuttgart main station platform with passengers as ICE train arrives

Major construction kicks off to fix Germany's railway system

Deutsche Bahn trains are notorious for delays and cancellations. And the situation will worsen before it improves.

Regional trains in Germany

Regional trains in Germany

Germany: Lindner puts price of 49-euro ticket up for debate

Germany's finance minister says the ticket may need to be more expensive if rail modernization plans are to go ahead.

A large crowd of supporters outside the Berlin Olympic Stadium S-Bahn station before the game between the Netherlands and Austria

A large crowd of supporters outside the Berlin Olympic Stadium S-Bahn station before the game between the Netherlands and Austria

Euro 2024: Deutsche Bahn apologizes to fans for late trains

Germany's national rail provider had not been "offering the quality that everyone deserves," said a senior board member.

A Deutsche Bahn workers carried glasses of beer to passengers on a train near Hannover on January 29, 2013

A Deutsche Bahn workers carried glasses of beer to passengers on a train near Hannover on January 29, 2013

Euro 2024: Deutsche Bahn's onboard beer sales double

Germany's national rail operator has said 3 million people used its trains in the first few days of the Euro tournament.

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REV – The Auto & Mobility Show

Meet the mighty Mini and a teen who lives on trains, and go for a spin with the Queen of Smoke.

A screengrab of a young man in front of Berlin's main train station

A screengrab of a young man in front of Berlin's main train station

Meet the German teen who lives on trains

After graduating from high school, young IT professional Lasse Stolley made trains his home.

Many streets are flooded in Babenhausen in the Bavarian-Swabian district of Unterallgäu

Many streets are flooded in Babenhausen in the Bavarian-Swabian district of Unterallgäu

Germany: Trains canceled amid southern storms and flooding

Trains between Munich and Stuttgart were canceled again on Sunday, as residents and authorities battled heavy rain.

A cloud hangs over happy participants at Berlin's 2024 4/20 'Smoke-In' at the Brandenburg Gate

A cloud hangs over happy participants at Berlin's 2024 4/20 'Smoke-In' at the Brandenburg Gate

Germany: Thousands celebrate new cannabis law in Berlin

Bands played as revelers gathered at the Brandenburg Gate for a legal cannabis "Smoke-In" on Saturday.

A close-up shot of the front of a Deutsche Bahn ICE long-distance train. Undated archive image.

A close-up shot of the front of a Deutsche Bahn ICE long-distance train. Undated archive image.

Germany: Bahn, train drivers agree to 35-hour week in deal

Deutsche Bahn and the GDL train driver's union have given more details of a pay and terms deal they struck on Monday.

Dresden's main train station seen empty during a recent train drivers' strike

Dresden's main train station seen empty during a recent train drivers' strike

Germany: Bahn and GDL train drivers' union strike pay deal

One of several labor disputes affecting German public transport in recent months appears to have been resolved.

Deutsche Bahn ICE trains in Frankfurt

Deutsche Bahn ICE trains in Frankfurt

Deutsche Bahn posts €2.4 billion loss for 2023

The German railway operator also said punctuality was down to 64% last year.

A German ICE train

A German ICE train

No strikes as Deutsche Bahn, train drivers to resume talks

Train strikes will come to an at least temporary halt as a union and Deutsche Bahn announce new talks.

A display board at Stuttgart main station indicates a short-term GDL strike.

A display board at Stuttgart main station indicates a short-term GDL strike.

Germany: Deutsche Bahn, Lufthansa workers go on strike

Labor action affected all Lufthansa departures from Frankfurt airport and railway operations nationwide.

A woman looking at the train times at Frankfurt's main station

A woman looking at the train times at Frankfurt's main station

German train drivers to strike after court motion fails

The German train operator had sought an injunction to stop a drivers' strike, saying the notice period is too short.

A German train with its red brake lights on, stationary at Munich station. March 8, 2024.

A German train with its red brake lights on, stationary at Munich station. March 8, 2024.

Germany: GDL train drivers' union announces next rail strike

The GDL trade union has called its members on strike for 24 hours, with passenger trains affected from early on Tuesday.

Trains sit inactive at Frankfurt main train station

Trains sit inactive at Frankfurt main train station

Germany: Dual rail and air strikes affect 'millions'

Passengers face disruption amid separate pay disputes at the rail operator Deutsche Bahn and national airline Lufthansa.

A train at Hamburg main station, with only a few people on the platform next to it. January 24, 2024.

A train at Hamburg main station, with only a few people on the platform next to it. January 24, 2024.

Nationwide train strike to disrupt travel in Germany

The strike will hit freight trains on Wednesday evening, with the passenger train strike starting Thursday morning.

High-speed ICE trains in Frankfurt stand on tracks during a previous strike

High-speed ICE trains in Frankfurt stand on tracks during a previous strike

Germany: New train strike possible after wage talks collapse

Failed talks between Deutsche Bahn and the train drivers union could spell more strikes for rail passengers in Germany.

ICE trains at a station in Frankfurt

ICE trains at a station in Frankfurt

German fast rail traffic paralyzed in south by metal thieves

Train operator Deutsche Bahn expected normal operations to be restored swiftly.

A close-up of two high-speed trains at a Munich station

A close-up of two high-speed trains at a Munich station

How does Deutsche Bahn compare with European rail firms?

With a long list of inefficiencies, Germany's national railway service is falling behind its European competitors.

The front view of an ICE 4 train

The front view of an ICE 4 train

Germany: What's wrong with the Deutsche Bahn train operator?

As the rail operator deals with yet another strike, there's renewed focus on the firm's delays and cancellations.

A passenger at a railway station in Germany

A passenger at a railway station in Germany

Germany's train services halted in longest strike yet

Experts have warned the rail strike, set to last for almost a week, will have a severe impact on Germany's economy.

Aerial view of freight trains parked in a railroad yard in Munich

Aerial view of freight trains parked in a railroad yard in Munich

German train strike could cost €1 billion

Another train drivers' strike — this time for six days. Who bears the consequences, and what are the costs?

Travelers wait for a train on a crowded platform in November 2023, no train in sight

Travelers wait for a train on a crowded platform in November 2023, no train in sight

Germany's train drivers call for a six-day nationwide strike

The latest strike by the GDL German train drivers' trade union will start on Wednesday and run for almost a full week.

Front view of a so called IdeaTrain

Front view of a so called IdeaTrain

IdeaTrain - more space through modular construction

With its “IdeaTrain,” Deutsche Bahn is testing new concepts to combat overcrowded trains.

Deutsche Bahn, trains seen here, said technical requirements were in the works to follow through a plan to launch rail services to London

Deutsche Bahn, trains seen here, said technical requirements were in the works to follow through a plan to launch rail services to London

Channel Tunnel: Deutsche Bahn keen on trains to London

This follows the tunnel operator announcing plans to make the rails compatible with more trains.

Trains waiting in Hamburg during a strike

Trains waiting in Hamburg during a strike

Germany: A third of long-distance trains delayed in 2023

Renovations and repairs of the rail network were the main reasons behind German trains' continued impunctuality.

View of a mostly empty Cologne Central Station

View of a mostly empty Cologne Central Station

German train strikes meet resignation, dismay in Cologne

Thanks to a rail strike, even hectic hub Cologne is quiet. Some travelers were dismayed, while others took it in stride.

A train with red lights illuminated sits at an empty train platform in the dark

A train with red lights illuminated sits at an empty train platform in the dark

Germany: Train strike, farmer protests cause disruption

Commuters in Germany are facing a day of delays and disruptions, as train drivers strike and farmers block roads.

An empty high-speed ICE train at an abandoned platform at Hanover's main train station

An empty high-speed ICE train at an abandoned platform at Hanover's main train station

German court allows train drivers to go ahead with strike

Train drivers will strike for three days, after a court rejected a temporary injunction sought by carrier Deutsche Bahn.

Passengers walk past a Deutsche Bahn train during a strike by Germany's GDL train drivers union demanding wage increases and a shorter working week in Cologne, Germany, December 8, 2023.

Passengers walk past a Deutsche Bahn train during a strike by Germany's GDL train drivers union demanding wage increases and a shorter working week in Cologne, Germany, December 8, 2023.

Deutsche Bahn: German rail union plans fresh strikes

The GDL union is calling for another strike in an escalation of a wage dispute with rail operator Deutsche Bahn.

A platform filled with passengers awaiting a train

A platform filled with passengers awaiting a train

Deutsche Bahn bosses pick up bonuses as passengers suffer

Board members of Germany's rail operator are reportedly receiving millions of euros in bonuses, despite huge problems.

Two passengers walking past a Nightjet train

Two passengers walking past a Nightjet train

Sleeper train relaunched between Berlin and Paris

Deutsche Bahn said the service is mostly booked out through the holiday period.

The usually busy Hamburg main station stands empty on Friday morning

The usually busy Hamburg main station stands empty on Friday morning

German train driver strike hits rail passengers

The action follows a breakdown of talks with the main national operator in a tricky dispute over pay and working hours.