Overview

• The Verkehrsclub Deutschland said it has handed the signatures to Deutsche Bahn and argued the policy shift shows the operator is on the wrong track in customer service.
• Deutsche Bahn ended the flat-rate family reservation for long-distance trains in mid-June and moved to individual seat-reservation fees.
• VCD is urging the rail company and the Transport Ministry to reinstate the offer with the December timetable change, citing the minister’s recently announced customer agenda.
• A family of four now pays about €44 extra for seat reservations on a round trip compared with the former €10.40 flat rate.
• Deutsche Bahn has defended the change so far, noting that children up to 14 travel free on tickets when accompanied by adults, as criticism from associations and politicians continues.