DB Latest - November 2007
Deutsche Bahn is planning strong growth in international long-distance traffic
From next year, approximately 200 direct connections to 80 cities outside Germany • In December Denmark will become the sixth "ICE country"
Deutsche Bahn AG is putting emphasis on strong growth in international long-distance traffic. “By the year 2010, we would like to increase turnover from our international connections from the current 200 million to 300 million euros”, said Nikolaus Breuel, Chairman of DB Fernverkehr AG. With this goal in mind Deutsche Bahn is extending its cooperation with other national railway companies. Next year, approximately 200 direct connections will be available daily to 80 cities outside Germany.
With the timetable change on 9 December, the ICE - in cooperation with the Danish national railways, DSB - will for the first time operate to Denmark. The new connections from Berlin and Hamburg to Copenhagen and Aarhus will make Denmark the sixth “ICE country”, joining Switzerland, Austria, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. “Rail travel is bringing the countries of Europe closer and closer together. With the ICE, we will gain market share from the airlines. Today, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, Zurich and Bern already belong to the ICE network”, Breuel added.
Also from the timetable change, the ICE will run at more regular intervals to Austria. The new connection from Dortmund or Frankfurt to Vienna will operate fast and reliable trains via Würzburg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau and Linz every two hours. These trains will be operated jointly by DB and the Austrian railways, ÔBB.
In June, in cooperation with the French railways, SNCF, DB opened the new high-speed lines from Frankfurt and Stuttgart to Paris. From 9 December, the number of trains operating between Frankfurt and Paris will be increased from one to five per day with journey times of less than four hours. There will also be the new TGV connection between Paris and Munich.
In addition, Deutsche Bahn acquired a stake in Thalys International in June; since 1996 this company has marketed high-speed rail travel between Paris and Brussels and from there onwards to Amsterdam and Cologne.
With the timetable change on 9 December, the ICE - in cooperation with the Danish national railways, DSB - will for the first time operate to Denmark. The new connections from Berlin and Hamburg to Copenhagen and Aarhus will make Denmark the sixth “ICE country”, joining Switzerland, Austria, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. “Rail travel is bringing the countries of Europe closer and closer together. With the ICE, we will gain market share from the airlines. Today, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, Zurich and Bern already belong to the ICE network”, Breuel added.
Also from the timetable change, the ICE will run at more regular intervals to Austria. The new connection from Dortmund or Frankfurt to Vienna will operate fast and reliable trains via Würzburg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau and Linz every two hours. These trains will be operated jointly by DB and the Austrian railways, ÔBB.
In June, in cooperation with the French railways, SNCF, DB opened the new high-speed lines from Frankfurt and Stuttgart to Paris. From 9 December, the number of trains operating between Frankfurt and Paris will be increased from one to five per day with journey times of less than four hours. There will also be the new TGV connection between Paris and Munich.
In addition, Deutsche Bahn acquired a stake in Thalys International in June; since 1996 this company has marketed high-speed rail travel between Paris and Brussels and from there onwards to Amsterdam and Cologne.
More information or bookings
Contact the Deutsche Bahn UK Booking Centre on +44 (0)8718 80 80 66 (8p per minute) from Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm) or send an e-mail to sales@bahn.co.uk. Train timetables and more information can also be found on www.bahn.co.uk and www.bahn.ie.
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Passenger Services
Suites 6/8
The Sanctuary
23 Oakhill Grove
Surbiton
Surrey
KT6 6DU
Contact:
Marlies Blom
Tel: 020/8339-4720
Fax: 020/8339-4770
E-mail: press@bahn.co.uk
Prices and information are correct at time of issue.
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