Deutsche Bahn urged to improve repair transparency and protect high‑speed route access

German transport politicians from the SPD and the Union demanded that Deutsche Bahn increase transparency about delays in the Berlin–Hamburg line renovation, calling for more reliable construction schedules and clearer communication of problems. Anheuser‑Toff‑Schaffarzyk and Union spokesperson Björn Simon said future corridor projects need robust, crisis‑proof planning.

Separately, the railway union EVG warned that granting high‑speed track rights to the Italian operator Italo could erode Deutsche Bahn’s dominant position in long‑distance rail, risking revenue loss and the possible disconnection of medium‑sized cities from the national network. The union and the transport ministry stressed the need for track‑allocation rules that safeguard the Germany‑wide timetable and maintain service on less‑busy routes.