Train travel in China – What Deutsche Bahn could learn from it
Anyone who has ever travelled by train in China – perhaps from Beijing to Shanghai or from Guangzhou to Shenzhen – quickly realizes: Rail transport here works differently. Faster. More structured. And surprisingly smoothly. This gigantic system is operated by the state-owned China Railway, which has built a high-speed network over the past two decades that is unparalleled worldwide.
China is now considered the country with the world's largest high-speed rail network. In just a few decades, tens of thousands of kilometers of new track have been built, on which trains like the "Fuxing" travel at speeds of up to 350 km/h. Metropolises with millions of inhabitants are connected every two or three hours, and air travel on medium-haul routes has been virtually replaced in many places. Punctuality is not the exception, but the norm. And anyone standing on the platform usually experiences the same thing: The train pulls in, the doors open, passengers disembark and board in an orderly fashion – a few minutes later, it's on its way again.
Consistent investment instead of repair shop
A key success factor is the political decision to invest massively and for the long term in infrastructure. China has not only modernized existing lines but also systematically built new high-speed corridors – often separate from slower freight traffic. This reduces conflicts on the network and increases timetable stability.
Germany, on the other hand, has been struggling for years with bottlenecks, congested transport hubs, and an infrastructure that in many places dates back to the 1960s or 70s. Deutsche Bahn is frequently in repair mode: construction sites, renovations, short-term detours. What China has demonstrated is long-term, strategic planning – including clear priorities and secured financing.
Standardization as an efficiency driver
Another difference lies in technical standardization. In China, high-speed trains, signaling technology, and maintenance processes are largely standardized. This simplifies maintenance, spare parts management, and staff training. Digital control systems enable very precise scheduling.
In Germany, however, there are different train control systems, historically grown silos of technology, and complex interim solutions. The full implementation of the European Train Control System (ETCS) is progressing slowly. China demonstrates how significantly efficiency increases when technical standards are consistently standardized.
Organization and passenger guidance
Differences are also noticeable in the operations themselves. Train stations in China function almost like airports: security checks, clearly separated waiting areas, boarding processes based on tickets. This may seem stricter, but it ensures order and predictable procedures. Trains usually only stop for a few minutes – yet there is hardly any chaos.
In Germany, access is more open, which offers advantages in terms of flexibility but also creates a lack of clarity. Passenger information regarding delays remains a persistent problem. Those traveling in China generally experience very clear, digital displays, automatic ticket checks, and structured processes.
What specific lessons could Germany learn?
1. Network segmentation and capacity expansion
In Germany, fast long-distance trains and slower regional or freight trains often compete for the same tracks. The consistent development of separate corridors – where possible – would increase stability.
2. Long-term investment strategy
Instead of political budget cycles, we need reliable, multi-year financing models. Infrastructure planning doesn't work on a four-year cycle.
3. Accelerate digitalization
Digital signal boxes, automated processes, and modern control and safety technology are not a luxury, but a prerequisite for punctuality.
4. Clear process organization
Boarding structures, better management of passenger flows, simplified fare models – many small adjustments could have a big impact.
Different systems, different requirements
Of course, to be fair, China was able to plan from scratch, while Germany is working with established structures, historic preservation regulations, complex planning laws, and dense population. Political systems differ considerably, as do decision-making processes and implementation timelines.
But the comparison shows that enormous progress can be achieved when infrastructure is declared a strategic priority. The Chinese rail boom is no accident, but the result of clear political objectives and consistent implementation.
Conclusion
China demonstrates how efficient modern rail transport can be when investment, standardization, and organization work together. For Germany, this doesn't mean copying the system verbatim. But it does mean setting ambitious goals.
If Deutsche Bahn is to become a symbol of reliability, speed, and sustainability once again, it needs the courage for structural reform – and the will to understand rail transport as the backbone of modern mobility. China provides at least one impressive example of this.