Deutsche Bahn AG (German Railway Corporation, also known as DB or DBAG) is Germany's main railway operator. It provides passenger and freight service via federally owned rail tracks. It is the continuation of the former Deutsche Bundesbahn and Deutsche Reichsbahn and has operated since January 1, 1994.

Codeshare with airlines

In conjunction with American Airlines, Emirates, and Lufthansa, Deutsche Bahn operates rail services (AiRail Service) between Frankfurt International Airport and Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Freiburg, Hamburg, Hanover, Mannheim, Munich, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart. Deutsche Bahn has the IATA designator 2A.

Current corporate structure

DBAG is fully owned by the Federal Government, but is autonomous and expected to operate as a for-profit business. It is hoped that the privatisation and opening of German tracks to other railway companies will promote competition and efficiency, and eventually lead to higher standards and lower costs.

DBAG owns and manages various semi-independent subsidiaries:

• DB Netz: owns and maintains all track
• DB Station+Service: responsible for station buildings and platforms, ticket sales and general service
• DB Fernverkehr: operates long-distance trains, restaurant cars and food service inside stations
• DB Regio: operates short and medium distance trains as well as commuter services
• DB ZugBus: provides bus services and owns many smaller bus companies
• BRG (Bahnreinigungsgesellschaft): provides cleaning services
• BSG (Bahnschutzgesellschaft): employs safety patrol personnel for railway stations and trains, mostly at night
• DB Immobilien: manages all real estate
• DB Fuhrpark: owns all corporate cars

Chief executives of Deutsche Bundesbahn and Deutsche Bahn AG

• Heinz Maria Oeftering (1957-1972)
• Wolfgang Vaerst (1972-1982)
• Reiner Gohlke (1982-1990)
• Heinz Dürr (1991-1997)
• Johannes Ludewig (1997-1999)
• Hartmut Mehdorn (1999-present)

See also

• Transportation in Germany
• Rail transport in Germany
• History of rail transport in Germany
• German steam locomotive classification

External links

• DB - The website includes a rail travel planner for all Europe, including the Trans-Siberian railway
• Railroad Eras in Germany
• Yahoo! - Deutsche Bahn Aktiengesellschaft Company Profile
• A Website giving english explinations and examples of German Railway signalling systems