DB delay compensation falls, but remains far above 2019

DB delay compensation reached EUR 156.1 million in 2025. Deutsche Bahn still faced delays and cancellations across its network. Still, the total was below the almost EUR 197 million paid in 2024. It also remained far above the 2019 level.

Michael Peterson is the DB executive board member responsible for long-distance services. He said the lower figure partly reflected the absence of extraordinary disruptions. For example, he cited strikes. Even so, he called the compensation bill “a significant financial burden” for the company.

DB delay compensation and passenger claims

Passengers submitted around 6.2 million compensation claims in 2025. That was three times the 2019 figure. Back then, Deutsche Bahn paid EUR 52.6 million to affected travellers.

Don’t miss…CSX Drone Program Expands Across More Than Eight Departments

Under the current rules, passengers can claim 25% of the ticket price. That applies after a delay of at least 60 minutes. For delays of more than 120 minutes, they are entitled to 50%.

Long-distance train punctuality remains weak

Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance services continue to face serious punctuality problems. In February 2026, just 59.4% of long-distance trains met that mark. These trains reached stations on their route with delays of under six minutes.

At the same time, only 65.3% of long-distance passengers were under 15 minutes late. That measure applies at the final destination.

Peterson said the many construction sites are placing heavy strain on operations. He added that other disruptions are doing the same.

He also said a line closure can cause large revenue losses. In some cases, those losses reach millions of EUR. In others, they reach tens of millions of EUR.

In addition, the long-distance division faced nearly 300 million EUR in extra costs. The figure applies to 2025. Those costs were linked to the use of railway infrastructure.

Separately, he spoke about the Deutschlandticket. He said its introduction reduced long-distance passenger numbers by about 15 million. Also, he said the occupancy rate on long-distance trains fell to 48%.

Deutsche Bahn Group losses and network modernization

International media reports indicate wider Deutsche Bahn Group losses in 2025. The figure is roughly EUR 2.3 billion. In the previous year, it was about EUR 1.8 billion.

Meanwhile, Reuters cited sources on the impairment charge. They cited persistent delays affecting ICE high-speed trains. They said the company had to record an impairment charge. The charge was EUR 1.4 billion. It was in the long-distance transport division.

Meanwhile, the German rail network modernization programme continues after decades of underinvestment. Current plans call for 40 heavily used lines to be modernized by 2036.

Still, political changes in Berlin have already raised doubts over some earlier commitments. Those doubts concern how quickly and how extensively those investments will be delivered.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: