Deutsche Bahn still thinks about privatisation

Hartmut Mehdorn, the CEO of DB, is still considering the partial privatisation of the company, Reuters reports. The most possible date is spring of 2009.

Even though the IPO of the 24.9% of the DB's DB Mobility unit was postponed in October due to uncertain market conditions, Mehdorn is still pushing forward with plans to privatise at least a part of the railways in 2009.

- The company continues to point towards the spring of 2009,- a source close to Mehdorn told Reuters.

Mehdorn wants to place the stakes with foreign investors, sources said. Investor interest from Russia, Saudia Arabia and China remained intact.

The precondition for that, however, is an improvement in market conditions, the sources said.

One key change being mulled is that the stake in the Bahn's passenger transport, logistics and services business (DB Mobility) will be less than 24.9% and it will be sold directly to investors.

Source: Transportweekly