Bundesnetzagentur publishes report on railway market developments in 2025
Year of issue 2026
Date of issue 2026.07.01
The Bundesnetzagentur has today published an interim report on current developments in the railway market for 2025. The railway market in the year under review was characterised by stability in rail passenger transport and a decline in rail freight transport.
Competitors gain market share
In all three types of transport services (regional, long-distance and freight transport), competitors, ie non-federally owned railway undertakings, were able to maintain or expand their market shares. Competitors expanded their long-distance services, leading to an increase in their market share by one percentage point to 8%. In rail freight transport, the market share of competitor railways grew to 67% by the end of the year (2024: 60%), with federally owned railway undertakings accounting for only one third of rail transport services.
Refurbishment of Riedbahn leads to moderate reductions in delays
For the Riedbahn, which was the first line to undergo a complete overhaul, sufficient information for full-year comparison periods is now available. Assessment of the data shows that in the 12 months following the completion of construction work in January 2025, delays due to faulty electrical circuit and safety systems decreased by 25%, and delays due to necessary short-term construction work fell by 35%. Delays caused by faulty turnouts were reduced by 22%.
Need to equip more vehicles with ETCS
To create more market transparency with regard to onboard vehicle equipment, the Bundesnetzagentur conducted a survey among vehicle owners for the first time in the fourth quarter of 2025. Information was also gathered on the number of tractive vehicles equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS). In total, German vehicle keepers operate around 14,000 traction vehicles and driving trailers from more than 300 series of vehicles. Of these, 1,860 vehicles (13%) are currently equipped with ETCS.
The complete report has been published on the Bundesnetzagentur’s website (in German) at www.bundesnetzagentur.de/eisenbahn-marktuntersuchung.