The 1994 rail reform: the facts, and our opinion
Deutsche Bahn AG was created by the 1994 rail reform (Bahnreform). It is a stock corporation, 100% owned by the federal government. Facts first, then opinion.
Facts about the 1994 rail reform
- On 2 December 1993 the Bundestag passed the rail reform package (558 for, 13 against, 4 abstentions). Wikipedia: Bahnreform (Deutschland)
- The legal basis is the Railway Restructuring Act (ENeuOG) of 27 December 1993, BGBl. I p. 2378. Under section 1 of the DB Founding Act (DBGrG), the parts of the federal railway assets needed for rail services and infrastructure were transferred to the newly founded Deutsche Bahn AG. ENeuOG (gesetze-im-internet.de), § 1 DBGrG (gesetze-im-internet.de)
- Article 87e(3) of the Basic Law: federal railways are run as commercial companies under private law. Where they build, maintain and operate the track, they are owned by the federal government, and the majority of shares stays with it. Grundgesetz Art. 87e (gesetze-im-internet.de)
- The sole owner of DB AG is the Federal Republic of Germany (100% federally owned). Deutsche Bahn investor relations (German), DB annual report 2025 (German), Wikipedia: Deutsche Bahn
- Regionalisation: who is responsible for local public transport, including the S-Bahn, is set by state law. § 1 RegG (gesetze-im-internet.de), Wikipedia: Bahnreform (Deutschland)
Deutsche Bahn punctuality: DB's own figures
DB counts a stop as on time if the train is less than 6 minutes late.
| Measure | October 2026 | Range Sep 2025 to Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Long-distance | 56.2% | 51.5% to 64.4% |
| Regional | 87.1% | 85.2% to 89.1% |
Source: Deutsche Bahn, Pünktlichkeitswerte (retrieved 2026-11-14).
Opinion
We think the 1994 reform has not delivered reliable service.
When DB's own figures show more than four in ten long-distance stops running late, that is not good enough for us. The federal government is the owner. We think it should make sure passengers arrive on time and get their rights without obstacles.
Opinion of the people behind Zugfrust, not a statement of fact.