Status: 07/11/2022 3:27 p.m
In recent years, the railway has sold many station buildings – and thus attracted criticism. The remaining 700 or so buildings are to remain in DB ownership and be “developed”.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) has stopped the sale of reception buildings at its stations that are no longer used. The remaining 700 or so DB reception buildings are to remain the property of the group. The company announced that the areas should be further developed together with the respective cities and municipalities.
Excluded from the sales stop are “a few” properties for which ongoing sales negotiations are already very advanced.
The DB spoke of a “change of course”. It was justified with the importance of the building for the image of the railway.
“Train stations are the gateway for travelers to the train, and their buildings and forecourts are like a place’s calling card,” explained Berthold Huber, the Deutsche Bahn Board Member responsible for infrastructure. “They have to be friendly and welcoming. That’s why we’re stopping the sale of our reception buildings.”
Association: “Bahnhofen serve the public service”
The Pro-Rail Alliance welcomed the announcement. “Train stations serve the public interest and are crucial to get more people to change to the trains,” said Managing Director Dirk Flege. However, not only the DB is required here, but also the federal government, “which has to make a financial commitment to make the buildings fit for the future”.
The association had criticized the sale of station buildings a few weeks ago. According to its own survey, more than 2,800 of around 3,500 station buildings have been sold in recent years. Too many of the reception buildings sold are now in an unsatisfactory condition, many can no longer be used for travelers – and there is no overview of who currently owns which building, said Flege at the time.
According to DB 2300 buildings sold
The DB now spoke on the basis of its own figures of 2300 reception buildings sold so far. Around 500 of these properties have been transferred to local authorities and the rest to private investors. According to Bahn, many reception buildings were sold because they were difficult to maintain.