Straight Talk: Minister Wissing Slams Management Change Debate for German Railway
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Minister Wissing expresses opposition to executive-level changes within the railways. - Minister Wissing voices opposition to leadership shift at the railways
Former transport minister Volker Wissing voiced his disapproval towards debating a leadership change at the German Railway in a recent ARD "Interview of the Week." Wissing asserted, "If the railway is grappling with an infrastructure crisis, as we unfortunately still do today—broken switches, outdated signal boxes, and more—it's hardly helpful to engage in personnel discussions. I strongly advise against that. Swapping executives doesn't mend the tracks and signal systems."
According to the coalition agreement between Union and SPD, there is a need for both DB group and InfraGo to undergo restructuring in their supervisory board and management, with the goal of enhancing technical expertise and streamlining operations. The CEO of the German Railway, Richard Lutz, has been in office since March 2017.
Wissing sees politics at fault for the long-standing problems
Wissing stated, "The railway is currently facing an infrastructure crisis, and this predicament didn't materialize because the management didn't recognize the need for investment. Instead, it arose because politics delayed providing the necessary financial resources for such investments for a prolonged period. It would be preferable if politics handled such issues equitably. If the railway still faces a significant problem to solve, it is financial questions from the public sector."
The German Railway is grappling with major difficulties, such as train delays. Last year, only 62.5 percent of long-distance trains arrived on time. The rail network is aging. Key routes need extensive renovation in the near future, which will cost a fortune, but funding remains unsecured.
- Volker Wissing
- ARD
- SPD
- Berlin
- German Railway
- Restructuring
- Coalition Agreement
It's high time our political leaders put their money where their mouth is and addressed the pressing issues plaguing the German Railway once and for all.
- Volker Wissing, the former transport minister, opposes the ongoing debate about a leadership change in the German Railway, believing it to be a distraction from tackling the infrastructure crisis.
- Wissing contends that politics has been responsible for the long-standing problems at the German Railway, as funds for necessary investments have been delayed for an extended period.
- The German Railway, as stated in the coalition agreement between Union and SPD, is in need of restructuring in both its supervisory board and management to enhance technical expertise and streamline operations.
- The outdated policies and legislation in the realm of general news may have contributed to the German Railway's financial struggles, as securing funds for essential renewal projects remains a challenge.
