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Dr. Sigrid Nikutta Defends DB Cargo's Commitment to Single-Wagon Transport Amidst Job Cut Rumors

Dr. Sigrid Nikutta Defends DB Cargo's Commitment to Single-Wagon Transport Amidst Job Cut Rumors
photo: Deutsche Bahn/Dr. Sigrid Nikutta Defends DB Cargo's Commitment to Single-Wagon Transport Amidst Job Cut Rumors
20 / 07 / 2023

Dr. Sigrid Nikutta, Chairwoman of the Management Board of DB Cargo AG, has dismissed recent media speculations concerning significant job cuts and the potential dismantling of the single-wagon transport business. Instead, she insists that the company is steadfastly continuing its transformation under the German government's new framework, designed to make rail freight transport more appealing and climate-friendly.

Contrary to unsettling reports, Nikutta explains that the Cargo Board of Management is developing a transformation plan to ensure the sustainable economic operation of Europe's largest freight railway. She highlights the crucial role single-wagon transport plays in achieving climate targets, noting that it currently saves around two million tonnes of CO2 annually in Germany, equivalent to replacing 40,000 truck journeys every day.

Although single-wagon transport is currently economically challenging to operate across Europe, the railway industry has advocated for competition-neutral promotion in Germany. This move has been heralded as an environmental milestone by the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) in their 2024 budget presentation. Their new funding program for single-wagon transport is expected to bridge the gap until the introduction of Digital Automatic Coupling (DAK), significantly improving the competitiveness of single-wagon transport against road freight transport. Dr. Nikutta ended on an optimistic note, stating that DB Cargo is well on track to meet the challenges, thanks to its dedicated team.

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