# Deutsche Bahn profit up, but bonuses and punctuality face's > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/deutsche-bahn-2026-profit-and-ridership-rise > Updated: 2026-08-21T06:46:19.000Z. Sources: 135. Developments: 8. Deutsche Bahn (DB) reported a €147 million core-business profit for the first half of 2026, its first positive result since 2019, driven by rising revenue and state subsidies. However, operational performance remains poor. Long-distance punctuality for the first half of 2026 was 58.7%, missing the 60% target. In July, punctuality for long-distance trains fell further to 52.6%, with traveler punctuality hitting 55%. CEO Evelyn Palla attributed delays to aging infrastructure, construction, and extreme temperatures, while criticizing a previous management culture of “organized irresponsibility.” Public scrutiny regarding executive compensation has intensified following a ZDF documentary, “Das Deutsche-Bahn-Desaster,” which alleged that executives received nearly €3 million in bonuses for 2025 despite poor performance. Palla defended the payments as a “variable component of remuneration.” Entrepreneur Carsten Maschmeyer also criticized the system, arguing that taxpayer money should not reward failure and suggesting bonuses only be paid once punctuality reaches 80%. In response, Transport Minister Steffen Bilger announced plans to tie executive bonuses directly to punctuality targets through a new federal financing agreement. While the government aims for 70% long-distance punctuality through 2029, passenger association Pro Bahn has called for stricter metrics, such as counting delays from three minutes instead of six and including cancelled trains in statistics. ## Claims - Deutsche Bahn posted a net profit of €147 million in its core business for the first half of 2026, the first profit in seven years. (disputed by 21 sources) - In June 2026, long‑distance train punctuality was 52.6 % (within 5:59 minutes). (disputed by 18 sources) - Long‑distance train punctuality was 58.7 % in the first half of 2026. (disputed by 10 sources) - DB Cargo posted a €147 million profit after tax in H1 2026, the first positive result since 2019. (disputed by 2 sources) - Around 600 000 passengers used the Last‑Minute ticket in the first half of 2026. (corroborated by 29 sources) - Deutsche Bahn carried about 960 million passengers in the first half of 2026, a record since the pandemic and 17 million more than the same period in 2025. (corroborated by 22 sources) - Bonus payments for Deutsche Bahn managers will be tied to meeting federal punctuality targets. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The main reason for the passenger increase was high fuel prices that shifted commuters from cars to trains. (corroborated by 21 sources) - Evelyn Palla will present the half‑year results on 30 July 2026. (corroborated by 20 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-21: Carsten Maschmeyer criticizes Deutsche Bahn bonus system Entrepreneur Carsten Maschmeyer criticized Deutsche Bahn's executive bonus system, arguing that bonuses should only be paid if punctuality reaches at least 80 percent. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/carsten-maschmeyer-criticizes-deutsche-bahn-bonus-system ### 2026-08-08: Deutsche Bahn: Minister to tie executive bonuses to punctuality targets German Transport Minister Steffen Bilger plans to link Deutsche Bahn executive bonuses to punctuality targets to combat chronic delays, following a period where long-distance punctuality averaged only 60%. 54 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-to-tie-deutsche-bahn-bonuses-to-punctuality-targets ### 2026-08-04: Deutsche Bahn faces scrutiny over €3 million executive bonuses in ZDF documentary ZDF’s documentary reveals Deutsche Bahn paid nearly €3 million in executive bonuses in 2025 despite low punctuality, sparking criticism and a response from CEO Evelyn Palla. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/deutsche-bahn-criticised-for-3-million-board-bonuses-despite-poor-punctuality ### 2026-08-02: Deutsche Bahn misses 60% punctuality goal, CEO condemns management Deutsche Bahn’s 2026 punctuality fell to 58.7 % (target 60 %); CEO Evelyn Palla blames past “organized irresponsibility”, vows cultural reform and a 2035 turnaround, while DB Cargo posted a €147 m profit. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/deutsche-bahn-ceo-evelyn-palla-calls-for-management-reform-and-sets-new-punctuality-goal ### 2026-07-31: Deutsche Bahn records first profit in seven years Deutsche Bahn posted a €147 million profit in H1 2026, its first since 2019, thanks mainly to lower freight losses and cost cuts, with modest revenue and passenger growth. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/deutsche-bahn-records-first-profit-in-seven-years ### 2026-07-31: Evelyn Palla reports 58.7% punctuality for Deutsche Bahn and calls for management overhaul Deutsche Bahn’s first‑half 2026 punctuality was 58.7 %, below its 60 % target; CEO Evelyn Palla called out past “organized irresponsibility”, noted a €147 million profit driven by state subsidies, and urged a管理 37 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/deutsche-bahn-posts-firsthalf-profit-as-punctuality-stays-at-59 ### 2026-07-29: Deutsche Bahn posts first profit in seven years and records 960 million passengers in H1 2026 Deutsche Bahn posted a €147 million core profit for H1 2026 – its first since 2019 – and carried a record 960 million passengers, driven by high fuel prices; minister Bilger urged faster improvements. 72 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/deutsche-bahn-posts-23-bn-loss-and-526-punctuality-in-halfyear-report ### 2026-07-08: Deutsche Bahn to use dynamic points pricing for BahnBonus free tickets Deutsche Bahn will switch BahnBonus free‑ride points to a dynamic model on 1 Aug 2026, tying points to ticket price and raising Flex‑ticket costs, prompting members to use current rates before 31 July. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yula-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-launched-in-german-market --- Cite as: Deutsche Bahn profit up, but bonuses and punctuality face's. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/deutsche-bahn-2026-profit-and-ridership-rise