Strong Rail: our path to a sustainable future.
Faster? Further? Greener!
Trade flows and freight traffic are constantly growing. By 2030, freight volumes are expected to rise by over 20%. The transport sector is currently responsible for around 20% of emissions in Germany. Among the measures required for the country to become climate neutral by 2045 is a massive shift of freight transport to environmentally friendly rail.
At Deutsche Bahn, we see it as our responsibility to make mobility sustainable. We see every train journey as a chance to actively protect the climate. And we treat every investment in a strong rail network as an investment in a green future.
For the economy
Strong Rail means fast, safe and reliable deliveries. A decisive competitive factor for Germany's future economic success and an important building block in the decarbonisation of transport.
For the climate
Germany can only achieve its ambitious climate targets with a massive shift of traffic from road to rail. Reducing CO2 emissions by 10.5 million tonnes annually will help keep our world liveable for future generations.
For people
Transporting more freight by rail means a better quality of life for us all. That is because every lorry taken off the roads leads to fewer traffic jams, fewer roadworks and less particulate matter in the air.
For Europe
Rail is Europe's central link between north, south, east and west. We connect the continent: with more employees, more destinations, more trains and more services. For stronger growth and a healthier climate.
How we are speeding up climate protection.
Deutsche Bahn is committed to a green future. We aim to reduce CO2 emissions by 10.5 million tonnes per year. By 2030, we plan to grow our market share in freight transport from 18% to 25% and increase the amount of freight transported by rail by 70%. Here are just some of the elements that are integral to achieving the ambitious goals of our Strong Rail strategy:
Modern infrastructure
Deutsche Bahn is modernizing like never before, becoming more efficient, more digital and more capable so that the rail network can handle at least 30% more traffic. This covers national routes, hubs and container terminals, as well as the main European corridors. Key to this are new technologies that enable faster and more frequent services. They are used everywhere from freight terminals, railports and formation yards to the rail lines themselves. Digital signal boxes and the international digital European Train Control System (ETCS) are just two examples of this.
Modern fleet
We have already fitted our entire fleet of around 63,000 wagons with telematics and smart sensors to improve control and connectivity. We are also using more digital tools in maintenance, such as 3D printing, intelligent diagnostics systems and robotics. Further measures include the purchase of 300 new, environmentally friendly locomotives. One in three of these will be multi-system locomotives suitable for international transport operations.
More employees
Our plans for expanding rail transport require qualified specialists. From maintenance staff to train drivers, people are essential to ensuring smooth rail freight transport for the economies of Germany and Europe. Against the backdrop of an aging society, this is a major challenge. In the years to come, Deutsche Bahn will hire 100,000 employees across all of its business units.
Cooperation with government
Effective collaboration between all stakeholders is vital to making the complex rail system a success. Politicians from across the spectrum agree that rail is key to achieving greater sustainability. In 2021, the German government introduced a CO2 tax for the transport sector. It has also promised additional funds for the comprehensive modernisation of the rail network and stations.
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