D.Bahn 08 long-distance traffic profits double-sources

BERLIN, March 15 (Reuters) - German rail operator Deutsche Bahn [DBN.UL] doubled its profits from passenger traffic in fast IC and high-speed ICE trains in 2008, sources familiar with the data said on Sunday.

Business in the long-distance passenger traffic as well as short distance travel had come in better than expected last year despite the economic crisis, the sources said, without providing concrete figures. Freight business had come in weaker than previously seen.

A spokesman for Deutsche Bahn declined to comment, saying Bahn results were due on March 30.

In a recent newspaper interview, Bahn Chief Executive Hartmut Mehdorn said that he expected revenues of 35 billion euros for the entire company in 2008.

Bahn posted revenues of 31.1 billion euros in 2007.

The German government had originally planned for Deutsche Bahn to be partially privatised last year but cancelled the initial public offering (IPO) due to market conditions.

On Saturday, Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee cast further doubt on the prospect of privatising the train operator, saying he did not think the IPO should go ahead in the next legislative period either.

Germany holds a general election in September. (Reporting by Markus Wacket; editing by Karen Foster)