German rail operator Deutsche Bahn
has reported a “noticeable uptrend” in passenger traffic and revenues in the
second quarter of 2021, the company has announced.
It said passenger numbers in the
second quarter of 2021 were about 50 per cent higher than in the second quarter
of 2020, although figures for the half year were down overall (from 663
million to 480 million) because of record numbers of passengers in the first quarter
of 2020 before the start of the pandemic. Passenger traffic on its long-haul
services was hardest hit, down 34 per cent.
The group reported an operating
loss (adjusted EBIT) of €975 million for the first half of 2021 due to the
pandemic. Revenues for the first six months of 2021, at €21.8 billion, were up 12.2 per cent compared with the same period in 2020.
"We are really picking up the
pace for sustainable mobility and logistics. Our products and services have
never been better – we are well equipped for more passengers and growth,"
said Dr. Richard Lutz, Deutsche Bahn’s CEO.
The company has added new XXL ICE 4
trains and modernised nearly 2,000 kilometres of track this year.
DB Group's CFO Dr Levin Holle said, "We
will overcome the serious challenges that the pandemic has created, step by
step. We intend to continue the uptrend and return DB Group to profitable
business. For this to happen, all of us at DB Group need to do our part. Saving
wisely and consistently investing in the future are two sides of the same
coin."