On Wednesday 27 July, the European Commission approved a €215 million German support measure in favour of Deutsche Bahn AG.
The measure, which will take the form of an equity injection, is intended to compensate Deutsche Bahn for the damage suffered by its subsidiaries DB Netz AG, DB Energie GmbH and DB Station&Service AG between 16 March and 31 May 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictive measures introduced.
DB Netz manages railway infrastructure in Germany. DB Energie operates the German traction power and rail filling station network and supplies rail transport companies with traction power and mineral oil products. DB Station&Service’s business includes the collection of fees for the use of station stops and the lease of rental spaces in stations.
The Commission considers that the Covid-19 pandemic can be qualified as an exceptional event, as it is an extraordinary, unpredictable event with a significant economic impact.
Therefore, exceptional interventions by Member States to compensate for the damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic are justified.
The Commission considered that the German measure will compensate for the damage that is directly linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. It also found that the measure is proportionate, as the compensation envisaged does not exceed what is necessary to repair the damage. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)