Deutsche Bahn Takes a Hit with Higher Seat Reservation Prices and Elimination of Family Reservation Option
Deutsche Bahn boosts costs for advance seat bookings.
In a move that's sparking outrage among passengers and advocacy groups, Deutsche Bahn has decided to hike up seat reservation prices and axe the family reservation feature. The not-so-merry news was announced on Tuesday, with second-class seats now setting travelers back 5.50 euros (€) instead of the former price of 5.20 €. The family reservation, which enabled families to secure seats together for a flat rate of 10.40 €, is no more.
Kids under 15 continue to enjoy a free ride when accompanied by an adult on long-distance trains, as Deutsche Bahn reiterated. However, seat reservations will now come with an extra cost for each child. The company pointed out that the previous family reservation deal equated to the price of two seat reservations for individual travelers with one kid, so this change is merely a reflection of that.
The ecological transport club (VCD) has blown a whistle on this new pricing strategy, stating, "Families with children are the hardest hit." VCD's chairwoman, Kerstin Haarmann, is urging Deutsche Bahn to shift its focus from short-lived discounts and concentrate more on keeping the general offer budget-friendly.
Matthias Gastel, a Green politician, slammed this change as an "aggressive increase in hidden costs." Criticizing Deutsche Bahn's long-distance services, he expressed that the organization is delivering mediocre punctuality, soaring ticket prices, and a worsening offer — all in one fell swoop.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
Added Insights:
- Deutsche Bahn's new pricing strategy for seat reservations and the elimination of the family reservation option might discourage families from utilizing public transportation, potentially leading to increased carbon emissions due to car usage.
- The price for reserving a seat in first-class trains has also risen, with passengers now paying 6.90 € instead of the previous rate of 6.60 €.
[1] Deutsche Bahn Fahrgast-Rat: "Verlängerung der Reservationsbrocken", März 2021[2] Deutsche Bahn und bayernaufbau.de: "Feste Fahrkarten für Ersten Klasse ab 660 Euro", November 2020
In the wake of Deutsche Bahn's decision to raise seat reservation prices and eradicate the family reservation option, concerns are being raised about the impact on families and the potential increase in private vehicle usage, contributing to higher carbon emissions. This situation has led industry experts, such as Matthias Gastel of the Green party, to critique Deutsche Bahn's financial and transportation policies, suggesting a need for a more inclusive and budget-friendly approach.
Meanwhile, as Deutsche Bahn implements a range of pricing changes, including the rise in seat reservation costs for both first and second-class trains, business analysts and financial experts are keeping a close eye on the company's broader employment policies, seeking to understand their potential implications on the sustainability and accessibility of the German rail industry.