Increased Pressure on Deutsche Bahn Following Family Reservation Cancellation

The Deutsche Bahn is facing mounting criticism following its decision to eliminate the family reservation option for long-distance travel, effective this Sunday. This move has sparked outrage among travelers, with even government officials voicing their concerns.

Transportation Minister Patrick Schnieder expressed disapproval of the decision, labeling it a misguided signal during peak travel season. He acknowledged the railway's reputation as a family-friendly transportation choice but raised doubts about the wisdom of such changes at this time. Nevertheless, the government spokesperson confirmed that it is ultimately the responsibility of Deutsche Bahn to manage its pricing policies.

Starting Sunday, families will no longer be able to reserve seats for children under a single flat fee. Instead, every passenger, including children, will be required to pay for their seat reservations. Additionally, the cost of a reservation in second class will increase by 30 cents to EUR5.50, while first-class reservations will rise to EUR6.90 from EUR6.50. This means that a family with two children will now pay EUR22 for seat reservations instead of the previous EUR10.40, totaling EUR44 for round trips.

The backlash has been substantial, with numerous petitions gathering thousands of signatures urging the railway to reconsider. Advocates for affordable travel argue that the family reservation system previously allowed free seat bookings for children under 14, and its removal will lead to increased travel costs for families.

Steffen Bilger, a senior member of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, warned that the decision could further tarnish Deutsche Bahn's image, particularly affecting those reliant on affordable travel options. He emphasized the importance of maintaining family-friendly services to attract more passengers to the railways.

As the summer holiday period approaches, concerns have been raised that families may opt for car travel over rail due to the increased costs. SPD parliamentary leader Matthias Miersch echoed these sentiments, expressing hope for a reevaluation of the decision given the current attractiveness of train travel.

An open letter from the Association of German Amusement Parks and Leisure Companies highlighted the long-term implications of the decision, stating that families and children are integral to the future of the railway. The letter advocates for initiatives that would encourage more children to experience train travel, fostering a lifelong affinity for railways.

In response to the ongoing criticism, Deutsche Bahn has maintained that the cancellation of the family reservation option will proceed as planned. A spokesperson reiterated that children and teenagers up to 14 years of age can still travel for free when accompanied by an adult who has purchased a ticket. According to the railway's data, only 5% of long-distance travelers previously utilized the family reservation service, equating to approximately 6.7 million passengers out of 133.4 million last year.