Carsten Maschmeyer criticizes Deutsche Bahn bonus system

Entrepreneur Carsten Maschmeyer has criticized the bonus system at Deutsche Bahn, arguing that taxpayer money should not be used to reward failure. In a statement shared on Instagram, Maschmeyer expressed disbelief that executives receive significant bonuses even when long-distance train punctuality rates are as low as 67.5 percent.

Maschmeyer noted that board members already receive high salaries, citing a former CEO's annual pay of 1.4 million euros. He argued that bonuses should only be awarded for extraordinary achievements and suggested that funds would be better spent on railway infrastructure, which he claims has been underinvested for years. He proposed that no bonuses should be paid until punctuality reaches at least 80 percent.