90,000 euros more: Bahn boss Richard Lutz waves a significant salary increase.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin Blockages, delayed or canceled trains: the anger at Deutsche Bahn has never been greater than in the past few months. A message that has now become known seems extremely unfortunate in the eyes of many.
Bahn boss Richard Lutz will get a significant salary increase next year. Lutz is expected to earn EUR 90,000 more in 2023 – an increase of ten percent on his basic salary of EUR 900,000. A corresponding report by “Bild” was confirmed to the Handelsblatt in corporate circles.
In the rail environment, one cannot understand the excitement about the salary increase. The salary increase is not related to the current anger about train cancellations or delays.
The salary increase for Lutz had already been agreed in spring 2021 when his contract was extended. It was also the first salary increase in ten years. In addition, it was decided that the salary would only increase after a one-year break.
Top jobs of the day
Find the best jobs now and
be notified by email.
The salary boost for Lutz comes at a time when negative headlines about the railway are piling up. Since January 2022, the arbitration board for public transport (SÖP) has received a total of 3,524 consumer complaints – mainly about train cancellations and delays. This corresponds to an increase of around 51 percent compared to 2021 (2330 requests for arbitration).
The main problem of the railway remain the numerous construction sites
The dissatisfaction of many rail customers is primarily directed at the lack of quality and reliability, which even rail boss Lutz described as “unacceptable” in an interview with the Handelsblatt. Although the group announced a punctuality target of 80 percent at the beginning of the year, it conceded this plan after a few weeks.
The whole dilemma now also shows a response from the federal government to a request from the Union parliamentary group, about which the “Rheinische Post” reports. The trains of Deutsche Bahn were therefore less punctual this year than ever before.
>> Read also: Six reasons why Deutsche Bahn is failing on its own.
According to the government response, the punctuality rate on many long-distance routes from May to September was only 50 to 60 percent. According to the statement, the development is not satisfactory in the opinion of the Federal Government.
The transport policy spokesman for the Union faction, Thomas Bareiß, said that the punctuality rates of the train had reached a historic low. The CDU politician warned that there were serious consequences for Germany as a business location.
The main problem for the railways remains the numerous construction sites that slow down traffic while demand is high at the same time. According to the company, numerous goods transports were also shifted from ship to rail, especially in the dry summer months. Due to the low water, ships could not navigate on many sections of the Rhine.
Long-distance, regional and freight trains then slow each other down on the network, which is overloaded in many places. The nine-euro ticket had further increased the utilization of passenger transport in the summer months, especially on tourist routes. The railway and the federal government want to get the problem under control with a general renovation of the particularly heavily used routes in the coming years.
More: Unpunctual trains, poor quality – Bahn boss Lutz promises: “It will be better in 2023”