This increase was fuelled largely by logistics subsidiary DB Schenker,
which saw railfreight volumes rise 40.1% year-on-year to 203.1 million
tonnes. Overall rail passenger numbers fell by 0.4% to 954 million,
partly because the loss of regional contracts reduced ridership in this
sector by 0.7%. However long-distance passenger numbers rose 1.9%,
partly because of the closure of European airspace in April following a
volcanic eruption in Iceland.

Debts were reduced by a further Euros 151 million to Euros 14.9
billion, while the workforce increased by 3000 year-on-year to 240,000.
 
However, despite his "subdued optimism" Grube warned the global
economic outlook remains in doubt and suggested the crisis in the
Eurozone, together with public spending cuts in some European member
states, may suppress transport demand. "The deep recession that markets
are currently recovering from, as well as the uncertain outlook for
further economic development in Europe, hinder any appearance of
unbridled euphoria," he said. "Current favourable developments do not
change our forecast that the German railfreight market will not recover
to its 2007-08 peak level until 2013."
 
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