Deutsche Bahn accused of systematic bias against private railways

Private railway operators in Germany contend that they face systematic disadvantage compared with the state‑owned Deutsche Bahn. The lack of separation between railway infrastructure and transport services, critics say, allows Deutsche Bahn to exploit its quasi‑monopoly position, resulting in neglect of private lines, missing schedule information and even tolerating the bankruptcy of competitors.

One highlighted case is the insolvency of Städtebahn Sachsen, which blamed Deutsche Bahn for failing to clear vegetation from its tracks, a factor it says forced the suspension of services. The critique argues that such practices undermine fair competition in the German rail sector.