Metro Rail News Conducted an exclusive interview with Mr Niko Warbanoff, CEO of DB International Operations & DB E.C.O. Group. During the interview, Mr Warbanoff highlighted the significance of DB’s role in Delhi-Meerut RRTS. In Addition to this, Mr. Warbanoff emphasised the potential for growth in India’s rail transportation sector. Here are the edited excerpts.

You have a long-standing career in rail transportation. How has your role as CEO of DB International Operations (DB IO) and DB E.C.O. Group influenced your leadership approach in the railway industry?

For the last 15 years, I have worked in the railway industry. During this time, I learned about different railway systems around the world. As CEO of DB International Operations and DB E.C.O. Group, I gained important insights into best practices and regional differences in rail transportation. These experiences have helped me contribute to the success of each project.

DB IO has a global footprint in managing rail transport operations. What potential do you foresee in the Indian market?

The Indian rail transportation sector has great potential for growth. For the past 15 years, DB has been involved in India by working on engineering projects. We have served as a general consultant for various railway systems, including the Dedicated Freight Corridor. These projects have built a strong foundation for our work in the region. 

In 2022, DB took an important step by entering the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) market in India. Our first project is operating and maintaining India’s first RRTS Corridor (Delhi-Meerut). We are eager to further expand our footprint in India by putting our global expertise into action to contribute to the growth and success of its rail transportation sector.

Could you share the key highlights of DB IO’s involvement in the Delhi-Meerut RRTS project? What were the major challenges encountered during the preparation phase?

Every project has its own challenges, and the Delhi-Meerut RRTS project is no exception. I remember signing the contract on July 1, 2022,  and within just two weeks, we had onboarded our first 150 employees at DB RRTS. Establishing a railway operations company from scratch is quite challenging, but I am immensely proud of the exceptional work our team has accomplished.

Now, we have over 700 people working with us and we are achieving great results every day. We maintain a 99% punctuality rate and excellent customer satisfaction. These figures show the solid foundation we have built. A major breakthrough was the inauguration of Stage 3A on January 5, which extended the operational RRTS network to 55km spanning from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South. We look forward to opening the entire corridor later this year. 

The RRTS features ETCS Level 2/Hybrid Level 3 and LTE-based communication. How will these technologies impact rail operations in India and globally?

The Delhi-Meerut RRTS uses advanced technology like ETCS Level 2/Hybrid Level 3 and LTE-based communication. These technologies represent the future of railway operations. ETCS is a worldwide standard that improves safety, efficiency, and connectivity in rail systems. This progress will set a high standard for future rail projects, both in India and around the world. We are proud to be part of this important change.

You’ve mentioned that the technology used in the RRTS will also be implemented in Germany. What specific lessons or innovations from this project can benefit German rail modernisation efforts?

A great example of the advanced technologies integrated into the RRTS is the infrastructure for automatic train operations, such as platform screen doors at stations. Interestingly, this is something we don’t commonly encounter in Germany. At the Duhai Depot, we have set up a lab specifically for training staff on how to operate these doors and handle emergencies. This facility not only supports operations but also provides us with valuable learning opportunities. In fact, the only platform screen door lab within the Deutsche Bahn network is located here in Delhi.

In addition to operations and maintenance, we also focus on training train operators. We equip them with skills such as proficiency in the German language. This creates opportunities for those interested in working with Deutsche Bahn’s regional operations in Germany.  This shows that our cooperation goes beyond regular operations, promoting a deeper exchange of knowledge and expertise.

How does DB IO plan to facilitate continuous knowledge exchange between Indian and German rail systems to streamline technological advancements and sustainable practices?

DB IO is in continuous exchange between Indian and German rail systems. When we started our business, we combined a German team with a local Indian team to develop and improve our standard operating procedures. These procedures were thoroughly practised before implementation and are now an integral part of daily operations.

Technology exchange is also important. For example, we learned a lot from introducing platform screen doors, and sharing knowledge is key to our collaboration. In addition,  Germany currently has a shortage of skilled workers, and we need that expertise. Starting with train operators could help, but we also need technicians for railway maintenance and other roles that we can bring into our business in Germany. This partnership shows the benefits of combining expertise from both countries.

India’s capital region is expected to become the world’s most populous metropolitan area by 2030. How does DB IO envision expanding its presence in India? Are there plans to participate in other rail or metro projects in the country?

Rail and metro projects, including RRTS, are highly strategic for India’s mobility infrastructure. The capital region, as you mentioned, is set to become the world’s most populous metropolitan area by 2030. Having visited the area many times, I am always amazed by its size. Developing just one RRTS corridor is not enough the region will require second and third corridors in the capital region alone to effectively address the traffic situation and significantly enhance mobility for its residents.

Beyond the capital region, other cities with multimillion populations also present opportunities for RRTS projects. These systems could be pivotal in addressing congestion challenges in such metropolitan areas. DB IO is open to exploring options in these areas to support India’s expanding rail and metro network.

How do you define success for a project like the RRTS, and what milestones are you particularly looking forward to achieving?

Enhanced Accessibility: Success for a project like the RRTS means achieving key goals such as reducing travel time, reducing CO2 emissions, promoting easy connections between different transport options, and making sure all passengers can access the system. The project is already meeting these goals and providing great benefits to commuters. 

Ridership Goal: An important milestone is increasing ridership, which is steadily picking up. To ensure long-term success, it will be important to promote the system and attract more daily passengers.

Operational Excellence: Operational excellence is also crucial. This means keeping services on time, maintaining clean stations, and ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all passengers, including women and disabled individuals. With these qualities, the RRTS is one of the most modern and innovative transit systems in the world, and I believe it will continue to meet high standards as it expands.

What message would you like to convey to the readers of Metro Rail News?

I am passionate about the work we are doing in India, particularly the RRTS project. Our DB RRTS team focuses on meeting performance goals and ensuring passenger satisfaction through our hard work. We are dedicated to upholding high standards in our operations and are ready to help with other RRTS or metro projects in the future. We look forward to contributing to India’s development in modern rail transportation.

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