# Blockchain-based Revenue Sharing in Railway Transport

> DB Regio is developing a blockchain solution together with DB Systel for automated and transparent distribution of ticket revenues between different transport operators. The current system is non-transparent, inflexible and time-consuming, as traffic surveys do not reflect actual shares. The new solution aims to enable automated processing and easily integrate new transport participants.

**Sector:** Tertiary sector · **Industry:** Rail transport · **Organisation:** DB Regio · **Maturity level:** Concept

Canonical URL: https://www.sapientblock.com/en/use-cases/db-regio-fahrgelder-fair-aufteilen

## Documentation status

- **Project status:** Concept
- **Evidence:** Evidence medium
- **Editorial review:** Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026

## Description

DB Regio and DB Systel developed a blockchain solution for the revenue sharing process in integrated transport. Previously, revenues were distributed to providers statistically via sample surveys — a complex, costly, and contentious procedure. With the blockchain solution, smart contracts are negotiated in advance between all parties; the revenue sharing logic is then permanently and automatically applicable. The distribution takes place per individual ticket, immediately and transparently for all parties involved.

Jörg Strubberg, Head of Revenue Management at DB Regio, describes the problem as follows: Previously, sample surveys were conducted at regular intervals and validated using statistical methods — a complex, costly process with disputable results. The processing time for revenue sharing ranged from three to five months, in extreme cases up to five years. DB Regio developed a blockchain solution together with DB Systel: Smart contracts are negotiated in advance between transport providers that define the revenue sharing logic. Every ticket can be clearly tracked from purchase through transfer to journey end. Revenue sharing takes place immediately — not only at the end of the month — which improves the cash flow of the participating transport companies. New mobility providers (bike-sharing, ride-sharing, etc.) can be easily integrated into the decentralized P2P network and participate from the first ticket sold. The pilot project was reportedly successfully completed; an extensive market test with various providers was planned. The DB blockchain team was founded in 2018 and now has over 30 employees as well as around 20 use cases in development.

## Benefits

- Drastic acceleration of payout processes and cost reduction through automation.
- Improved travel chains and more attractive association offers through optimized provider cooperation.
- Automated and transparent handling of revenue sharing between transport providers.
- Significant reduction of administrative costs by eliminating manual reconciliation processes.
- Easy integration of new transport participants into existing association systems.
- Relief from time-consuming manual billing processes and focus on strategic tasks.

## Challenges

- High coordination effort between different transport providers for uniform standards.
- Complex integration of various ticketing systems and transport providers into a unified platform.
- Building trust and acceptance among all involved partners for the new technology.
- Need for training and transition to new automated processes and systems.

## Technology foundation

The solution is based on blockchain technology, which acts as a shared and immutable database where all ticket sales are stored transparently and traceably. This technology enables automatic real-time calculation of which transport provider receives which share of the revenues, without the need for manual reconciliations or non-transparent estimates.

## Sources

- [Deutsche Bahn und die Blockchain Zukunft](https://blockchainwelt.de/deutsche-bahn-und-die-blockchain-zukunft/)