PASSENGER TRANSPORT. THE NEW FRAMEWORK. PAPERS PRESENTED AT A CONFERENCE HELD IN APRIL 1993. CHAPTER 6. STRUCTURAL REFORM OF THE RAILWAYS AND THE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR RAIL IN GERMANY

This chapter describes the German government's plans to restructure and privatise the railway systems of East and West Germany. Faced with a large financial burden it was decided that the two German railways, Deutsche Bundesbahn and Deutsche Reichsbahn, will become the German Railways plc by January 1st 1994. Three phases are envisaged. The Federal Government will manage the public limited company as three business sectors for three years, a holding company will manage them for five years and the three companies will finally become independent. Problems involved are discussed including staffing issues, internal organisation and financing. The concept of regionalisation for short distance traffic and its funding problems are considered. The separation of operations from infrastructure is discussed. For the covering abstract see IRRD 857765.