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Bundesnetzagentur Orders Deutsche Bahn to Allocate More Space for Competitors
The German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) has mandated that Deutsche Bahn (DB) must provide increased capacity to competing operators on long-distance rail routes. This measure targets high-traffic lines where DB historically held dominant control. The condition requires DB to allocate at least 25% of capacity on these lucrative routes to competitors, aimed at fostering competition and ultimately benefiting passengers through potentially lower ticket prices.
The move is part of a wider regulatory effort to reform the long-distance rail market and introduce more competitive dynamics by granting access not only to tracks but also to station facilities. The Bundesnetzagentur also plans to ensure that infrastructure operator InfraGo opens sufficient space within stations to rival companies under objective criteria set by the regulator. These steps reflect the agency’s goal to break the monopoly structure and afford rail travelers more choice and better deals [Source 1][Source 2][Source 4][Seed Article].
