70.9 million passengers used Deutsche Bahn's long-distance services

In the first half of 2018, Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance segment increased by 3.8% year on year, representing “a record of 70.9 million passengers”. “For more and more people, rail is becoming the key to an effective climate change fight and a successful transition to sustainable transport,” DB CEO, Richard Lutz, said.
At EUR 21.5 billion, adjusted revenues at the DB Group were 2.3% higher in H1 2018 than in H1 2017. Calculated in comparable terms, the increase was a full 3.8%. For 2018 as a whole, DB expects to see a comparable increase in revenues to some EUR 44 billion.
DB generated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 974 million in H1 2018, a year-on-year decrease of EUR 205 million, or 17.4%. This decrease was due in particular to special charges resulting from inclement weather, a drop in rail freight transport volumes, and higher investment in punctuality. For 2018 as a whole, the DB Management Board expects full-year EBIT to be at the same level as EBIT in 2017 (EUR 2.15 billion).
DB’s international business units continued to grow, as DB Schenker generated revenues of EUR 8.3 billion in H1 2018, an increase of 2.8% and DB Arriva saw revenue growth of 1.7% to a total of EUR 2.7 billion.
Transport volume in long distance passenger service grew considerably in the first half of 2018, rising 6% year on year to 20.6 billion passenger kilometers.
The rail freight transport saw a 6.7% drop in volume and “the first six months of the year were not easy for DB Cargo”, DB says. The company plans to respond by making lasting changes, which will include addressing problems of its own making.
Infrastructure usage continued to grow, with demand for train paths rising 1.1% to 540 million train-path kilometers. At 31.9% in H1 2018 (up from 30.8% in H1 2017), the percentage of infrastructure usage attributable to non-DB rail companies rose once again.
For 2018, DB plans to increase investment by over EUR 100 million to raise its on-time rate and by the end of the year, it will present an updated strategy.