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Deutsche Bahn Says Signal Box Staffing Shortfall Largely Resolved

Regulators have paused new fines after seeing sustained staffing gains.

Overview

  • Deutsche Bahn says its signal boxes have averaged 100% effective staffing since the start of 2026.
  • The company hired about 2,200 train dispatchers by December 2025, a roughly 10% increase over the prior year.
  • DB cautions that isolated staffing gaps can still occur in some locations even as nationwide coverage is sufficient.
  • InfraGO chief Philipp Nagl urges faster renewal of signaling and safety systems to keep operations stable.
  • The federal regulator, Bundesnetzagentur, previously fined DB for understaffing and now says the trend has improved, so it has held off fresh threats.