Deutsche Bahn Celebrates Europe Day 2019
On 9 May it is Europe Day, when the European Union celebrates the Schuman Declaration – a statement made by the French foreign minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950 proposing to place German and French coal and steel production under a single authority. By creating common interests between European nations, they would co-operate with each other, rather than go to war. This ultimately led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the predecessor of the European Union.
Deutsche Bahn fully embodies this idea. CEO Richard Lutz said:
“At DB we are part of the European railway family. The European railways stand for diversity, for tolerance and for international co-operation. Close collaboration is the foundation of the success of the European, international rail transport. The railways are the backbone of mobility in Europe and an active contribution to protecting our climate.”
To make a visual statement Deutsche Bahn is illuminating Berlin Central Station in the European flag.
Deutsche Bahn as a European Business
- Deutsche Bahn’s employees in Germany have come from more than 100 countries.
- The company is investing more than ever in European transport corridors, creating European-scale projects
- DB moves 11.4 million people in Europe every day
- More than 60 percent of DB’s cargo crosses at least one international border
- In 2018 the EU made 30,000 free Interrail tickets available to 18-year-olds, allowing the recipients to travel for 30 days all across Europe by train. More Interrail tickets are available during May 2019. Applications close on 16 May.
- Of the nine European rail corridors in Europe that cross international borders, six go through Germany
- The EU is investing 42 billion euros in the Europe-wide development of the trans-European networks in the transport, energy and digital sectors
- DB possesses 100 multi-system Siemens Vectron locomotives that are capable of international operations
Deutsche Bahn says:
“We subscribe to the European values: freedom of movement of people, goods and services; diversity and tolerance are also indispensable to us. The transport networks are Europe’s lifelines.”
