Deutsche Bahn job cuts

DBB job cuts as a result of large losses first half 2024, according to Reuters. Looks like they’re paying a price for years for neglect. Kind of reminds me of Amtrak.

“After more than a decade of underinvestment, Deutsche Bahn has started massive repair works on its tracks, crossings and overhead lines that will take years and which are already causing hefty train delays and cancellations.”

They were already having staffing issues post-pandemic. This isn't going to help.

There are still some WWII and Cold War projects being finished, such as completely rebuilding Ostkreuz or replacing the bridge at Küstrin/Kostrzyn. I suspect that routine work had been put off for too long.

2012 - Ostkreuz replacements and renovation began. Work that should have been done in the 1930's was underway, under traffic. Recently completion was celebrated.


2012 - vital activities continued.






2012 - blowing up the photo reveals a poster promising that the work will be done in the shortest time possible.

I wonder if DB is still feeling the effects of Reunification and the need to put much of its resources into bringing the former DR infrastructure up to the level of the western system.

BlackDiamond said:

I wonder if DB is still feeling the effects of Reunification and the need to put much of its resources into bringing the former DR infrastructure up to the level of the western system.

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Reunification issues not likely. The expansion of DB into the US logistics (warehouse / transport services) was and still is a money losing business. DB needs to stay in there lane, and focus on there business of running trains, and not try to be a global logistics company. DHL try this also, there still here but more focused on certain aspects and not try to be everything.

BlackDiamond said:

I wonder if DB is still feeling the effects of Reunification and the need to put much of its resources into bringing the former DR infrastructure up to the level of the western system.

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From DB people I have spoken to, reunification was not just a drain on resources, but also a gift that saved a lot of money down the road.

For example, the old DB had for many years prior to reunification been cutting back on staff, and this had largely been achieved by not replacing people who retired and not training sufficient apprentices. This was to make the balance sheets look good but there were huge staff shortages and staff were working overtime like crazy and DB was heading for a serious crunch. Reunification brought in a lot of fresh blood and competent people, especially in the younger age cohorts, many of them much more capable than their western counterparts. . For all its faults, one thing the soviet inspired system did very well was education, especially in technology professions.

Now the same thing is happening again, but reunification did buy them a couple of decades of reprieve.

Ditto with other things such as repair shops. Capacity in the west had been run into the ground as a cost saving exercise and there was a huge backlog on repairs which could be cleared in the years following reunification.

Just-Thinking-51 said:

Reunification issues not likely. The expansion of DB into the US logistics (warehouse / transport services) was and still is a money losing business. DB needs to stay in there lane, and focus on there business of running trains, and not try to be a global logistics company. DHL try this also, there still here but more focused on certain aspects and not try to be everything.

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I believe they are also into rail freight in the UK. I wonder how profitable that is, given the access charges and the general difficulties running freight there.

BlackDiamond said:

I believe they are also into rail freight in the UK. I wonder how profitable that is, given the access charges and the general difficulties running freight there.

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DB is one of the leading rail freight companies in Europe and they have established operating arms in many countries and bought out several other operators.