General framework

Train-path prices for 2025 approved

By way of a resolution dated March 22, 2024, the Federal Network Agency approved the fees for the 2025 train-path pricing system (TPS). The effective increase in train-path usage fees is 17.7% for long-distance rail passenger transport, 16.2% for rail freight transport and 0.6% for regional rail passenger transport. The reasons for the disproportionately high increase in fees for long-distance rail passenger and rail freight transport are the sharp rise in costs due to high inflation, as well as the so-called train-path price brake in regional rail passenger transport. Several train operating companies and DB InfraGO have filed a complaint against the Federal Network Agency with the Cologne Administrative Court regarding the fees set for regional rail passenger transport. The latter has referred the matter to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in order to examine whether the fee system for regional rail passenger transport established by law in Germany complies with European law. A decision by the ECJ is expected in the first half of 2026.

Approval procedure for station fees for 2026

The Federal Network Agency is currently reviewing the approval of the station fees requested by DB InfraGO, Passenger Stations business area, for 2026. The agency has exercised its extension option to consider the approval application and has extended the term of the procedure until assumption of approval to December 13, 2025. Overall, average price increases of 22.29% were requested for regional rail passenger transport in the main application (2.94% in the auxiliary application), while 11.1% was requested for long-distance rail passenger transport in both application variants.

Arbitration processes for the Rastatt Tunnel

In September 2017, DB Group and the Rastatt Tunnel working group agreed to conduct an evidence-gathering and arbitration procedure to clarify the causes and the associated responsibility. The process was suspended on a provisional basis for settlement negotiations between the parties on the basis of an interim report from the technical arbitration expert on the causes of the accident and a proposal from the legal expert on the allocation of responsibilities. The parties are seeking an overall agreement, which will take at least until December 2025. The further construction and renovation of the damaged area have been disconnected from the arbitration process. The work of the construction working group is now almost complete; the tunnel was handed over to the finishing trades in early July 2025 for further expansion work. Settlements were concluded with the train operating companies affected by the line closure as a result of the accident (in consultation with the working group and its insurance companies).