Deutsche Bahn postpones the announced sale of Arriva to 2020. That is the result of the board meeting of Deutsche Bahn last Thursday, which was supposed to ward off the crisis at the top of the company. The group's board says it now needs more time to reappraise the company. Therefore, a sale according to initiated passed on to next year. 

In addition to a sale, DB would also consider an IPO of Arriva in Amsterdam. At Deutsche Bahn, CEO Richard Lutz and financial director Alexander Doll are at odds with each other about the sale of Arriva. In addition to a sale, Deutsche Bahn would also consider an IPO in Amsterdam. It is unclear whether that option is now also off the table.

The first reports of a sale of the company came out late last year. It was then reported that the subsidiary could raise 3,5 to 4 billion euros. Recently, several investors have been reported to be interested in Arriva.

The company was acquired by DB in 2010, in an attempt to expand internationally. A proceeds of four billion euros are in the books for the sale of this in pencil. But one problem is the one billion euro debt burden on the company. 

Deutsche Bahn was previously put on hold in a letter by traffic minister Andreas Scheuer. Germany is the sole shareholder of DB and wants action to be taken finally to put an end to the long-term losses at freight railway company DB Cargo, in particular.

Also read: Arriva CEO Hettinga: Cabinet does not keep promises