DB E.C.O. North America

On this #TransitEmployeeAppreciationDay, we recognize the dedicated professionals - from operators and maintenance crews to planners and engineers - who keep our transit systems running every day. Public transportation is more than just moving from A to B - it's the lifeline of cities, economies, and communities. Millions rely on buses, trains, and rail networks for jobs, education, and essential services. At DB E.C.O. North America, we are committed to supporting safe, efficient, and sustainable transit while working toward a future where public transportation is accessible and reliable. Learn more about our work: https://db-eco.us/en/

This week, our colleague Michael Weaver represented DB E.C.O. North America at the Southeast Rail Forum in Raleigh, North Carolina. He presented alongside Jeremy Latimer from Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) on VPRA's Performance Monitoring Program, which DB E.C.O. North America supports. The program’s success is driven by stakeholder engagement, trust, and a data-driven approach to setting performance improvement priorities. Thank you for the opportunity to contribute and we look forward to next year’s conference. Visit our website to learn more or contact us to start the conversation! https://lnkd.in/e-XAzgxY

In 2024, 1.1 million passengers used Deutsche Bahn’s Rail&Fly and Lufthansa Express Rail, a 4% increase from 2023. These partnerships with nearly 50 airlines provide smooth airport connections, reducing dependence on short-haul flights. Germany’s airport rail network plays a key role, with commuter and regional trains linking major airports to city centers. Frankfurt Airport offers a dedicated long-distance rail station, seamlessly integrating high-speed travel into the broader network. Could this model work in the U.S.? While distances are greater, regional rail connections could enhance accessibility in key corridors like Silicon Valley or the Northeast Corridor, easing congestion and improving airport connectivity. At DB E.C.O. North America, we help clients design efficient, multimodal travel solutions. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eW5AYiKu

In 2024, Deutsche Bahn completed 113 "Future Stations", setting a new standard for passenger experience and station design. These modernized stations feature: - High-resolution displays and real-time updates. - Ramps, elevators, and tactile guidance. - Brighter, weather-protected areas with upgraded forecourts and waiting zones. - Expanded bike parking and better links to local transit. These upgrades are designed to make stations more than just transit points - they are welcoming spaces that foster mobility, accessibility, and community. DB E.C.O. North America brings a customer-first, sustainability-driven approach to station development to the U.S. and Canada. From station development to the modernization of existing facilities, we work with transit agencies, rail operators, and cities to design and optimize future-proof rail stations. Visit our website to learn more or contact us to start the conversation! https://lnkd.in/eR7uPkV6

DB E.C.O. North America will be at the 2025 University of Pennsylvania STEM?Career Fair (Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104) on Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Visit us to learn more about our exciting career opportunities. We are looking for talented individuals who are ready to shape the future of sustainable transportation and engineering. See you there! https://lnkd.in/ehjmx-Vk

Last week, DB E.C.O. North America experts participated in the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. As one of the largest gatherings of transportation professionals globally, the TRB Annual Meeting drew over 13,000 attendees from 70+ countries, offering a platform to explore the latest research, innovations, and policies shaping the future of transportation. Our team contributed expertise through the following engagements: Ted Rosenbaum presided over a session on light rail as a flexible and sustainable transit option and chaired the Light Rail Transit Committee Meeting. Lynn Harris joined a panel on zero-emissions rail technologies, sharing insights on industry innovations like batteries and hydrogen to reduce environmental impact. Paul Lewis led a workshop on post-pandemic rail services and presented draft findings from the "Future of Commuter Rail" report, exploring how technology and sustainability will drive the evolution of transit. We are thankful for the opportunity to participate in this outstanding conference and look forward to contributing again next year!

Last week, DB E.C.O. North America helped organize a program for a bipartisan delegation of legislators and transit stakeholders from Illinois visiting Germany to explore best practices for the Chicago region's transit network. The group focused on how German cities successfully integrate networks, timetables, and fares to create unified public transit systems. Overall, this visit highlighted the importance of collaboration and shared knowledge in addressing the complexities of modern transit systems, including with Deutsche Bahn. We look forward to continuing to foster this transatlantic dialogue to transform the future of mobility.

Last week, Sergej Kramer, Principal in our Management Consulting Team, represented DB E.C.O. North America in a panel discussion at the German Californian Mobility Dialogue in Los Angeles, CA. The conversation focused on how the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles could accelerate clean transportation initiatives through infrastructure development, smart city technologies, and public-private partnerships. Sergej provided insights into how we help our clients shape the rail network in Southern California and which lessons learned from Deutsche Bahn in Germany could be applied. A special thank you to the other panelists and to GACC WEST - Representative of German Business for hosting and facilitating this discussion.

?? Record-Breaking Milestone: Over 500,000 Bookings in 2024! Lufthansa Express Rail in collaboration Deutsche Bahn have reached an impressive milestone with over half a million travelers using the service to and from Frankfurt Airport this year. This innovative partnership continues to redefine seamless travel, offering passengers convenient, efficient connections between train and plane. For over 20 years, travelers in Germany have benefitted from the ease of boarding trains directly at the airport, with a host of key features designed to enhance the journey: ?? Flexibility: Free rebooking in case of connection delays ?? Prioritized Baggage Handling: Faster processing at Frankfurt Airport ?? One Ticket, Two Boarding Passes: Streamlined travel experience ?? DB Lounges: Access for First and Business class passengers ?? Eco-Friendly Travel: Reduced emissions for a more sustainable journey This collaboration between Deutsche Bahn and Lufthansa ensures a customer-centric, flexible, and seamless travel experience — even for long-distance journeys. At DB E.C.O. North America, we specialize in optimizing the travel experience with intuitive, end-to-end solutions that help make travel smooth and unified. To learn more about DB E.C.O. North America’s consulting services including customer experience, visit db-eco.us. Congratulations to all involved in reaching this remarkable milestone!

???Celebrating Rail Innovation: From 1835 to Today On December 7th, 1835, the "Bavarian Ludwig Railway" made its first journey marking the start of a new era in transportation. The legendary locomotive steamed along a modest 4-mile route between Nuremberg and Fuerth at a top speed of 14.2 mph, transporting 100,000 passengers in its first year. 189 years later, Deutsche Bahn is a leader in rail mobility, with employees from over 100 nations and high-speed trains reaching 186 mph with over 1.3 billion passengers annually on a network spanning 20,758 miles. Building on Deutsche Bahn's legacy, DB E.C.O. North America extends this vision of innovation and excellence to our North American clients. Our goal is clear, it is to transform the future of mobility.