Affordable mobility: Abolition of family reservation: pressure on train increases

Deutsche Bahn is under increasing pressure due to the abolition of family reservations on long -distance travel. After another criticism from the government factions, there is now also a petition for receiving the booking option. This started the Traffic Club Germany (VCD), which is committed to an ecological transition. More than 4,500 signatures have already come together (as of June 13, 11 a.m.).

Railway increases reservation prices

« Especially in times when Deutsche Bahn is looking for more passengers for long -distance transport, they should see how traveling becomes more attractive for everyone, » says the call to the VCD. “So far, this was possible through the family reservation: the seats could be booked free of charge for children under the age of 14. The fact that this service should be canceled without replacement means higher costs. »

The federal group had announced on Tuesday that families from the timetable change this Sunday can no longer reserve any number of seats for themselves and the children for a flat rate. Instead, all travelers – including children – have to pay for a seat reservation. In addition, the price for a reservation in the second class is 30 cents more expensive and is then 5.50 euros per place. In the first class, the fixed place then costs 6.90 euros instead of 6.50 euros.

Specifically, this means: Instead of the 10.40 euros for a family reservation, a family with two children will pay 22 euros in the future. 44 euros come together for back and forth.

Criticism does not discard even after days

There has been criticism from politicians and associations for days. The first parliamentary managing director of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Steffen Bilger, told the “Bild” newspaper, with the abolition of the family reservation, the railway risks lightly a further loss of image.

The measure of all things affects those who rely on affordable mobility and could not do without seat reservations. « Train trips have to be family -friendly, » said Bilger. « If you want to inspire more people for the train, you do not have to strengthen family -friendly offers, not delete. »

SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch told the editorial network Germany: «I hope that there is still a rethink. The train is not so attractive that you can simply afford such price jumps. »

The federal government as the owner of the railway looks like the planned for family reservations in the long -distance trains as an entrepreneurial decision, but also reveals doubts about it. The decision falls into the rail operational business, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Transport in Berlin. « Nevertheless, you can question whether it is currently the right signal. » However, the government will not intervene. It remains to be the task of the train to shape your collective bargaining policy yourself.

Open letter – but train remains with the plans

The Association of German Amusement Parks and leisure companies even wrote an open letter to Deutsche Bahn. « Families and children are not only the backbone and the future of our society – they are also the railway customers of tomorrow, » it says. « Shouldn’t you do everything to offer as many children as possible unique rail experiences and to bind them emotionally to the train in the long term? »

However, regardless of the growing criticism, the railway had recently emphasized that the new regulation was captured. « We will no longer offer the family reservation from June 15, » had a group spokeswoman. The group emphasizes that children and adolescents up to and including 14 years accompanied the actual ticket.

Five percent of all long -distance travelers have so far booked family reservations. With 133.4 million travelers in the long -distance traffic of Deutsche Bahn last year, this would be around 6.7 million passengers who used this option.