Iron legacy: S-Bahn boss Peter Buchner dies shortly before his 59th birthday

Iron legacy: S-Bahn boss Peter Buchner dies shortly before his 59th birthday

It was with great sadness that the Railway and Transport Union (EVG) announced that Peter Buchner, the long-time managing director of the Berlin S-Bahn, had died. Buchner, who would have celebrated his 59th birthday on November 8, 2025, leaves behind his wife, his son and over 3,000 employees, whom he always supported and motivated during his time as head of the S-Bahn. The news of his death shocked not only the S-Bahn family, but also many passengers and colleagues from the industry who appreciated his open nature and his commitment to local transport. The EVG describes Buchner as “a real railway worker” who helped shape the face of local transport in the region for decades.

Buchner took over as managing director of S-Bahn Berlin in July 2009, at a time when the company was in deep crisis. The Federal Railway Authority had shut down most trains due to poor maintenance, which meant that passengers sometimes had to wait up to 45 minutes for trains. This difficult situation required a man with vision and determination, and so Buchner took on the challenge of saving the S-Bahn. The Daily Mirror reports that Buchner made his first public appearance in 2009, where he impressed with a new way of communication that emphasized transparency.

A life for the railway

Peter Buchner has always been a man of the railways. Throughout his entire professional career, he gained a wealth of experience in various positions, including at the Usedomer Bäderbahn, DB Regio Nordost and the Oder-Spree and Märkisch-Oderland bus services. He was an avid user of the S-Bahn in his time and never owned a car—he believed the train was the best way to travel. The EVG highlights how Buchner not only maneuvered the company through difficult times, but also made it a popular transportation alternative for Berliners again.

Shortly after taking office, Buchner tried to improve customer information and service quality. This earned him the “Second Most Embarrassing Berliner” title from Tip magazine in 2010. Nevertheless, he also received an award for excellent customer dialogue, which underlines his commitment to passengers. Buchner was known for his open manner - not only towards his employees, but also in his conversations with passengers. He was positively received at a passenger consultation day organized by the Igeb customer association and decided to promote direct communication with passengers.

Appreciation and legacy

In June 2025, Buchner presented the 1,000th newly trained train driver received his license and thereby impressively demonstrated his appreciation for the training and development of employees. Harmen van Zijderveld, DB's regional transport director, praised Buchner as a far-sighted manager and valued colleague. Before his death, Buchner's reputation in the industry was high, especially after the dismissal of DB Group CEO Richard Lutz in August 2025.

Peter Buchner is remembered as someone who dedicated his professional life to railways and who was a role model for many. His loss affects not only the S-Bahn, but also all those who worked with him or trusted in his vision for local transport. In these difficult times, his legacy will be remembered and the industry will miss him dearly.