(de-news.net) – Evelyn Palla, the former head of DB Regio, has been named CEO of Deutsche Bahn AG, marking a dramatic change in leadership. The decision was made public by Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder as part of a larger reform plan for the state-owned railway operator that prioritizes operational, personnel, and structural renewal. Richard Lutz is replaced by Palla, the company’s first female leader, who is entrusted with leading a thorough renovation of the rail system. A competitive selection process that included both internal and external candidates led to her hiring. Her dual perspective, acquired from executive positions at Eon and the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), was recognized by Minister Schnieder as a key factor in her standing as the best option.
Palla called the event a “day of departure and renewal” during her first news conference, announcing that quality would henceforth be a primary executive priority. She promised to restore staff pride in the company, acknowledging the enormity of the task and comparing the shift to a marathon rather than a sprint.
Schnieder’s strategic framework incorporates updated long-distance service timeliness goals. The new standard establishes a 70 percent target by 2029, with more improvements to follow, deferring the prior target of 75–80 percent on-time performance by 2027. Less than 60 percent of long-distance trains now arrive on time. The reform plan continues to place a high priority on infrastructure. All high-performance corridors are to be modernized by 2036, according to plans, with 24 being completed by 2030. By 2029, an additional 10 billion euros is set aside for digital enhancements. By 2035, 1,000 locations will be impacted by station upgrades that prioritize accessibility, safety, and cleanliness.
Improvements to the customer experience are also given top priority. By 2027, Deutsche Bahn hopes to have made quantifiable progress in improving real-time communication across all passenger touchpoints, including onboard announcements and the DB Navigator app. Early implementation is planned for comfort improvements in ICE and IC trains, namely in the areas of onboard cuisine and cleanliness.
The executive board will be divided into six sections instead of eight due to organizational reorganization. Subject to supervisory board permission, Dirk Rompf, a former employee of DB Netz AG and consultancy firm Ifok, is being considered to run the infrastructure business DB InfraGO. Concerned about previous austerity measures, union representatives have criticized his nomination. Refocusing on core operations is another requirement of the strategy for Deutsche Bahn. In addition to setting profitability goals, such as freight operations by 2026 and passenger services by 2028, non-essential subsidiaries may be combined or sold.
Palla stated that Deutsche Bahn is still competitive in terms of family-friendly pricing when compared to other rail networks and that the contentious elimination of family seat reservations will not be undone. “Only when tracks and stations are in top shape can train operations flourish,” she reaffirmed, underscoring the fundamental need of infrastructure renovation.
Divergent opinions have been expressed by stakeholders about Evelyn Palla’s appointment as CEO of Deutsche Bahn AG. Certain employee representatives on the supervisory board have indicated that they will not support the proposed leadership changes, despite the fact that passenger associations and private rail operators generally support the decision. Palla’s appointment was hailed by the German Train Drivers’ Union (GDL) as a “promising signal.” Mario Reiß, the chair of GDL, highlighted her combined competence in regional transportation and internal operations, pointing out that her history of increasing passenger metrics and punctuality makes her a strong candidate for the position. Reiß emphasized that meaningful improvements that benefit the workforce must come after symbolic gestures.
Palla’s leadership ability was also affirmed by the passenger advocacy group Pro Bahn. In addition to praising her effective reorganization of DB Regio, Chairman Detlef Neuß urged for adequate autonomy and funding to facilitate significant reform. Neuß emphasized the value of focused investment and operational efficiency, drawing on Palla’s experience at the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). Neuß also listed the execution of the statewide “Deutschlandtakt” schedule, strategic staffing expansion, and infrastructure renewal as top goals for the next CEO. Citing previous disruptions in Mainz, he issued a warning against systematic failures like signal box outages and station closures.
Likewise, Palla’s nomination was endorsed by the private rail associations Mofair and Die Güterbahnen in a joint statement. Matthias Stoffregen and Peter Westenberger, their leaders, emphasized Palla’s knowledge of Deutsche Bahn’s structural issues and her understanding of infrastructure governance models free from profit-driven objectives. In order to assist the reform program, they urged federal authorities to provide strong ownership and infrastructure strategies.