Germany’s network regulator, the Bundesnetzagentur, has taken the rare step of drafting a binding cap on the share of long-distance train paths that may be allocated to a single operator. The proposal—presented to the regulator’s rail-infrastructure advisory council on 30 June—would limit Deutsche Bahn (DB) to between 60 % and 75 % of the usable capacity on specifically designated, heavily saturated corridors such as Munich–Berlin and Munich–Dortmund. The move is a direct response to a complaint filed by Italian high-speed operator Italo, which intends to start German services in 2028 but says it needs guaranteed access to tracks that are already chronically over-used. DB currently controls about 95 % of Germany’s long-distance passenger market; critics argue that this near-monopoly, combined with a €150 billion decade-long renewal programme, has created intolerable bottlenecks and nation-leading delay levels. Under the draft, DB InfraGO—the infrastructure subsidiary that manages tracks and stations—would have to leave a minimum quota of paths open to competing operators once formal capacity constraints have been declared. Bundesnetzagentur president Klaus Müller described the measure as “a prerequisite for genuine competition in clock-face high-speed services.” The regulator notes that Italo plans to invest €3.6 billion in 30 Siemens Velaro trains for its German launch.
![German Regulator Proposes Cap on Deutsche Bahn’s Access to Congested Long-Distance Routes]()
For international passengers eager to take advantage of a more competitive rail market—or any traveler needing documents for extended stays—VisaHQ streamlines the visa and residence-permit process for Germany. Its online platform (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) provides step-by-step guidance, document checklists, and real-time status updates, ensuring that both business and leisure visitors can focus on smoother journeys rather than paperwork.
Business travel managers welcomed the announcement. A survey by the Association of German Travel Management (VDR) shows that 38 % of corporate mobility buyers would shift at least a quarter of domestic air travel to rail if reliable, competitive high-speed options were available. Opening the market could therefore translate into shorter door-to-door times and lower Scope-3 emissions for multinationals with German hubs. The advisory council is expected to issue its opinion in July; if adopted, the cap could take legal effect for the 2027/28 timetable. DB has warned that the measure may aggravate existing pinch points, but analysts point out that the company will have an incentive to accelerate infrastructure upgrades once capacity is no longer guaranteed.
For international passengers eager to take advantage of a more competitive rail market—or any traveler needing documents for extended stays—VisaHQ streamlines the visa and residence-permit process for Germany. Its online platform (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) provides step-by-step guidance, document checklists, and real-time status updates, ensuring that both business and leisure visitors can focus on smoother journeys rather than paperwork.
Business travel managers welcomed the announcement. A survey by the Association of German Travel Management (VDR) shows that 38 % of corporate mobility buyers would shift at least a quarter of domestic air travel to rail if reliable, competitive high-speed options were available. Opening the market could therefore translate into shorter door-to-door times and lower Scope-3 emissions for multinationals with German hubs. The advisory council is expected to issue its opinion in July; if adopted, the cap could take legal effect for the 2027/28 timetable. DB has warned that the measure may aggravate existing pinch points, but analysts point out that the company will have an incentive to accelerate infrastructure upgrades once capacity is no longer guaranteed.
