Deutsche Bahn posts first profit in seven years and passenger record in H1 2026
Deutsche Bahn announced a three‑digit‑million‑euro surplus for the first half of 2026, marking the first profit in its core business since 2019. The previous year’s half‑year results had shown a loss of about €760 million. The company also reported a passenger record of roughly 960 million journeys, 17 million more than in the same period a year earlier and the highest level since the pandemic. The rail operator attributes the surge mainly to high fuel prices that prompted many commuters to switch from cars to trains. Discount offers such as the Last‑Minute ticket (used by about 600 000 passengers), the Family ticket (around 200 000 users) and the free youth BahnCard 25 (about 50 000 orders) further boosted demand. The half‑year figures will be presented by CEO Evelyn Palla on Thursday, while Transport Minister Steffen Bilger called for faster improvements in punctuality and infrastructure.
The profit and passenger growth come amid ongoing challenges, including a punctuality rate of 52.6 % in long‑distance services during June 2026 and extensive infrastructure works that cause temporary line closures.
Entities: 2026 · Deutsche Bahn · Deutsche Bahn AG · Dirk Flege · Evelyn Palla · German Federal Government · Germany · Steffen Bilger
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Deutsche Bahn aims for a markedly better situation by 2035, the 200th anniversary of railways in Germany.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Deutsche Bahn posted a net loss of around €2.3 billion for 2025.
- [● 18 SOURCES] In June 2026, long‑distance train punctuality was 52.6 % (within 5:59 minutes). (multiple articles)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Deutsche Bahn had set a target of at least 60 % punctuality for the current year.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The company expects more than 80 % of long‑distance trains to be punctual by the early to mid‑2030s.
- [● 15 SOURCES] The main reason for the passenger increase was high fuel prices that shifted commuters from cars to trains. (media reports)
- [● 16 SOURCES] The profit amount was a three‑digit‑million‑euro surplus. (media reports)
- [● 14 SOURCES] The 960 million passengers represent 17 million more than the same period in 2025. (multiple articles)
- [● 16 SOURCES] Around 600 000 passengers used the Last‑Minute ticket in the first half of 2026. (media reports)
- [● 16 SOURCES] Deutsche Bahn carried about 960 million passengers in the first half of 2026, a record since the pandemic. (media reports)
- [● 14 SOURCES] Bahn chief Evelyn Palla will present the half‑year results on 30 July 2026. (multiple articles)
- [● 15 SOURCES] Deutsche Bahn achieved a profit in its core business for the first half of 2026, the first profit in seven years. (media reports)