DB Ditches Long-Standing Family-Friendly Policy, Sparking Outrage Among Travelers
Deutsche Bahn discontinues traditional family practice
Deutsche Bahn's recent changes are hitting families hard, forcing them to shell out more cash for comfortable travel.
Family Seats Bid Farewell
Long considered a family staple, the shared seat on the train is now a luxury. Deutsche Bahn is ditching a popular option that families have relied upon for years - the family reservation. As of June 15, it's going to cost an arm and a leg. From then on, everyone will be paying for their own seat - even kids.
Until now, families could reserve up to five seats in second class for just 10.40 euros. But say goodbye to that flat rate, as it's now extinct. Instead, each seat will cost 5.50 euros per single journey for grown-ups - and children are no exception. A family of four will now shell out a hefty 44 euros for a round trip. It gets even pricier in first class, where the reservation fee skyrockets to 6.90 euros. DB defends this move, arguing that children under 15 can still travel for free, although without a guaranteed seat. Those who want to sit together will have to cough up the cash. This new consequence is hitting families where it hurts!
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Reactions to the new regulation have been searing: environmental organizations such as Greenpeace, "Our Country," and the passenger association "Pro Bahn" are screaming alarm. Politicians from CDU, SPD, Greens, and Left are also criticizing the train company left, right, and center. The main complaint: with such decisions, the train company is pushing families towards cars.
Especially the cheap reservation model was a lifesaver for many parents with kids. Shared seats, planned journeys, and less stress - all this will now set you back more. DB, however, insists that there's no big change for families. The jury's still out on that, though - especially during the summer holidays, when families will realize: a train journey now costs not only nerves, but also significantly more money. Family-friendly? More like family-unfriendly - simply scrapped.
Contextual Insights
- Price Hike for Families: Deutsche Bahn's decision means families will have to pay substantially more for seat reservations, as the cost per seat has increased from 10.40 euros to 5.50 euros in second class and 6.90 euros in first class.
- General Reservation Price Increase: While the impact may be more significant for families, it's important to note that the overall cost of seat reservations has increased for all travelers.
- Criticism and Discontent: The decision faced intense criticism from various parties, who view it as a hidden price increase, particularly problematic given recent increases in train ticket prices.
- Planning Challenges: The removal of the family reservation option makes travel planning more challenging for families, who must now handle individual reservations for each family member. This can be more time-consuming and costly.
- "The increase in seat reservation fees by Deutsche Bahn, affecting both families and general travelers, has sparked a wave of criticism from environmental organizations, political parties like CDU, SPD, Greens, and Left, and passenger association Pro Bahn, who argue that these changes push families towards car usage and intensify financial burdens on families, particularly during summer holidays."
- "Although Deutsche Bahn maintains that children under 15 can still travel for free, the new reservation fees have raised concerns among families, as a family of four will now pay at least 44 euros for a round trip in second class, or even more in first class, making train travel less financially viable and family-friendly."
- "The rise in reservation fees is not just a burden on families but also a challenge for travel planning, as families must now make separate reservations for each member instead of relying on the family reservation option that allowed up to five seats to be reserved for 10.40 euros in second class, a feature that is now extinct."
