Skyrocketing Seat Reservations: A Scandal for German Rail - Families Take a Hit
German Railways Under Fire: "An Outrageous Situation"
German Rail's new schedule and pricing policy kicking off this Sunday is causing outrage! The state-owned transportation giant is scraping family reservations and hiking up fees for pre-booked seats. The backlash from politicians and passenger associations? "This is an absolute scandal!"
Families wanting reserved seats on German Rail will be facing a major wallet hit. The company plans to nix the family reservation option with the new timetable on Sunday. From now on, all travelers, even kiddos, will have to dish out for seat reservations. On top of that, prices for reserved seats in both classes are skyrocketing.
In second class, the price jumps 30 cents to 5.50 euros. In first class, the fee for a pre-booked seat now costs 6.90 euros instead of 6.50 euros. For a family of three children in second class, the cost will balloon from 10.40 euros to a whopping 27.50 euros. In first class, the ticket will escalate from 13 euros to a hefty 34.50 euros. These soaring fees were last boosted in June of last year.
Economy: Bet on Cheaper DB Tickets?
The ecological transport club VCD is pleading with German Rail to keep the family reservation option alive. "Families with kids are particularly reliant on reserved seats," remarks federal chairwoman Kerstin Haarmann. "They're now bearing another price hike, barely six months since the last regular increase in December." She advises the company to focus less on short-term discount actions and instead keep the general offer affordable.
"The family price is nearly doubling," bemoans Detlef Neuss, chairman of Pro Bahn, to the "Rheinische Post." "That's not right. That's terrible." The price hike could push families to opt for cars for their journeys, like visiting grandparents, warns Neuss. "We expect the company to revert to the old price if possible. The federal government must step up its supervisory duties now."
Michaela Engelmeier, chairwoman of the German Social Association, emphasizes: "Every additional burden weighs heavily on households with low incomes and makes the decision for an eco-friendly train journey more burdening."
Criticisms Also from Political Parties: Change the Approach!
Political parties are piling on the criticism, calling for a shift in German Rail's approach. "Families with kids need to sit together on trains. Profiting off this necessity is a total scandal!" cries Green party MP Victoria Broßart. The company seems to be trying to drive families off its trains.
The Union weighs in as well, criticizing: "German Rail should reconsider its approach," says CDU transport expert Christoph Ploß. He mentions that seat reservations can be helpful in regulating and streamlining train occupancy for the passengers' convenience. "However, it's clear: Families shouldn't bear an unfair brunt."
Rail Expert Matthias Gastel of the Green Party Calls it "Bold Move"
Gastel deems German Rail's approach as "audacious considering the services offered by DB long-distance." In his view, the company's poor punctuality, rising ticket prices, and diminishing offerings are consistently being outfooted onto passengers. "DB long-distance is delivering poor punctuality, escalating ticket prices, and fewer options. That's too much all at once," said Gastel. The rail company should "deliver more of what clients expect," and the federal government should take its supervisory duties more seriously, demands the Green rail expert.
Community members criticize the new community policy implemented by German Rail, as it abolishes family reservations and significantly increases the cost of seat reservations. Vocational training programs are necessary to equip workers in the rail industry with the skills required to improve the services offered by DB long-distance, which include punctuality and affordability. The finance department could allocate funds for these training programs to reduce the alleged scandals and bolster the relationship between German Rail and its passengers.
