Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla has announced a full restructure of the company’s corporate identity, utilising less departments, units and managers.
Further restructuring plans will follow through to the end of 2026, with the ultimate goal being to relaunch as a more efficient and customer-friendly company.
DB has also announced the launch of new, effective immediate programmes at the start of 2026 that aim to improve passenger information, cleanliness and safety.
In order to deliver these programmes, the company will invest over 140 million EUR in additional funding.
Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla said:A better railway needs a consistent restart and a radical rethink at all levels. I am very pleased with the support from the Supervisory Board.
We are giving DB a new design principle for greater proximity to the business. With three immediate action programs, we will ensure a better travel experience as early as 2026. Our customers will feel it: Something is happening at the railway.
The new company’s new corporate structure will seek to redefine responsibilities more clearly, streamlining structures, workflows and decision-making processes. From January 2026, a number of key factors will be implemented:
- A Reduction of the Group Executive Board – The Group Executive Board will be reduced to six divisions, with the two divisions responsible for Technology/Digitalisation and Infrastructure set to be dissolved
- Streamlined Organisational Structure – A number of functions and departments will be eliminated at levels below the Group Executive Board, such as an entire intermediate level between the Board and first management level, as well as the reduction of organisational units within the first management level from 43 to 22
- Overhead Reduction – The number of staff across Group Management will continue to be reduced, with specific targets set to be developed over the course of 2026 and those affected offered new positions through its internal job market
- Streamlined Business Structures – DB Fernverkehr and DB Regio will streamline their decision-making structures, with the independent marketing departments within their executive boards being dissolved and responsibilities distributed across other departments
- A New DB InfraGO Management Board – The number of board members at DB InfraGO AG will be reduced from eight to six, with all future operations and construction set to be handled by one single board member, with new regional representatives to be introduced for the coordination of track closures and operations
- Quality Control – A new function for quality control will begin reporting directly to the DB CEO, with a new management system established for quality and efficiency across all levels
In the immediate future; DB has announced intentions to launch three, passenger-first action programmes. At the start of 2026, DB Fernverkehr (DB Long-Distance) and DB InfraGO will implement concrete projects for direct and tangible quality improvements.
These projects will focus on increased comfort on long-distance trains, improved customer communication, and enhanced safety and cleanliness at stations.
