Railway abolishes family reservation policy
Germany's Deutsche Bahn is pushing forward with its plan to ditch family seat reservations, a move that has garnered widespread criticism. The change kicks in on June 15th, as confirmed by a corporate spokesperson. In spite of the outcry, youngsters under 15 can continue to travel for free when accompanied, but seat reservations will be required for all passengers, including children.
Unveiling this transformation on Tuesday, Deutsche Bahn also announced a price hike for seat reservations. Second-class seat reservations now set you back 5.5 euros (up from 30 cents), with first-class reservations costing 6.90 euros instead of 6.50 euros. This shift will inflate family travel costs substantially.
The previous family seat reservation for up to five people in second class would total 10.40 euros, whereas post-June 15th, a family of five will shell out 22 euros, amounting to 44 euros for a round trip.
Politicians across the spectrum — from the CDU to the Left — are calling for a reevaluation of the decision. Immediate demands ensued for a reversal of the decision, as criticism poured in from Greenpeace, the German Social Association, and Pro Bahn, among others. Wielding a unifiedvoice, CDU, SPD, Greens, and the Left chastised the railway for steering families towards cars. Previously, family seat reservations for up to five people could be procured at the lower cost of 10.40 euros.
Only a few months back, another announcement by the railway incited an uproar. In November, a plan was disclosed to eliminate the display of arrival plans in stations from December 15th, primarily attributable to the need for real-time information. However, the backlash from social and passenger associations forced the railway to rescind its decision just two days later, stating that it took the public and associations' criticism to heart and acknowledged the gravity of the issue.
Although the reasons for discontinuing family seat reservations remain elusive, the corporation is confronting crippling financial losses. The railway is currently implementing the S3 restructuring program to bolster its financial health.
"While we remain committed to providing free transport for children and young people, we must make our services financially viable in the face of our present economic difficulties," expressed the railway spokesperson.
Despite this financial reconfiguration, the actual impact of family seat reservation abolition on the railway's finances seems limited. In 2024, the railway posted a loss of 1.8 billion euros.
[1] Source: Statista[2] Source: German railway website
- This financial reconfiguration in Deutsche Bahn, which includes the abolition of family seat reservations, is a response to the railway's crippling financial losses, as they strive to make their services financially viable.
- The elimination of family seat reservations is a contentious move in the general-news sector, with politicians from various parties, such as the CDU, the Left, and environmental groups like Greenpeace, urging a reevaluation of the decision.
- As the railway aims to increase revenue through price hikes on seat reservations and other measures, such as the S3 restructuring program, questions remain about the actual impact on the rail industry's finance, given the significant losses reported in recent years.
