# Blockchain-based Internal Service Accounting in Railway Operations

> Deutsche Bahn is testing blockchain technology in pilot projects to digitize internal service accounting between departments. The goal is to automate manual and time-consuming billing processes and make them more transparent. DB Systel is conducting these tests on an Ethereum basis to increase the efficiency of internal accounting.

**Sector:** Tertiary sector · **Industry:** Rail transport · **Organisation:** Deutsche Bahn (DB) · **Maturity level:** Pilot

Canonical URL: https://www.sapientblock.com/en/use-cases/deutsche-bahn-abrechnungen-zwischen-bereichen-automatisieren

## Documentation status

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

## Description

Deutsche Bahn launched its blockchain team in 2018 and chose internal service billing between corporate divisions as its first pilot project. Self-critically, it was noted internally that a conventional database would have sufficed for this simple case. The pilot served as a learning project — with the goal of building blockchain expertise for more complex, external use cases. Blockchain unfolds its added value especially when multiple external parties without a common trust basis are involved.

The DB blockchain team, founded in 2018, consists of over 30 employees — developers, software architects, and project managers. The first pilot project was the billing of internal services within the DB group via smart contracts. DB's own assessment: a conventional database would also suffice here — however, the use case offered the opportunity to practically test blockchain and build know-how. The core principle is: a blockchain requires no central administrator or trustee — all participants have the same view of the data, which cannot be manipulated. This trust principle is especially valuable when more external parties are involved. The DB blockchain team is now developing around 20 use cases — from logistics supply chains to intermodal ticketing to revenue sharing in integrated transport.

## Benefits

- Significant cost reductions in administration by eliminating manual billing processes between business units.
- Automation of time-consuming manual billing processes through smart contracts reduces administrative effort.
- Complete transparency and traceability of all internal service billings through immutable blockchain logging.
- Reduction of billing errors through automated processes and predefined business rules.
- Relief from repetitive manual tasks enables focus on strategic and analytical activities.

## Challenges

- Investments in new technology and employee training must be weighed against expected cost savings.
- Integration of the blockchain solution into existing ERP systems requires extensive technical adjustments.
- Coordination between different departments on uniform process definitions and business rules is complex.
- Employees must adapt to new digital processes and develop corresponding skills.

## Technology foundation

The pilot project is based on the Ethereum blockchain, which enables automated billing between departments through its smart contract functionality. Ethereum is suitable for this use case because it supports programmable contracts that transparently represent business rules and execute them automatically.

## Sources

- [Deutsche Bahn investiert in Blockchain](https://blockchainwelt.de/deutsche-bahn-investiert-in-blockchain/)
- [Deutsche Bahn Blockchain](https://www.deutschebahn.com/de/blockchain-6898612)