Train station enacts policy eliminating family-preferred seating accommodations.
Revised Article:
Get ready, folks! As of this coming Sunday, those family train journeys with the unlimited flat-rate seat reservations are history. The German Railway (Deutsch Bahn) is dropping the beloved family reservation system, causing quite a stir. Now, folks will have to pay per seat for each family member. And it gets pricier, too—second-class seat reservations are now 30 cents more at 5.50 euros per seat, while first-class reservations set you back 6.90 instead of the previous 6.50 euros[1][2]. That means a family of four will now pay double what they used to for reservations.
This move has sure alienated many, including politicians and environmental associations, who have been vocal about their disapproval[1]. Even the German Association for Transport and Environment (VCD) launched a petition to reverse this decision! Yet, Deutsche Bahn remains resolute, pointing out that children under 15 still travel for free when accompanied by adults[1].
But fret not, there are some perks happening alongside this change. With the timetable update on Sunday, you'll once more be able to cancel your Flex price tickets for free up to a day before the travel date, and some discount offers have already made their way[1].
[1] - https://www.reuters.com/business/transportation-logistics/germany-railway-deutsche-bahn-eliminates-family-seat-reservations-2021-06-13/[2] - https://www.welt.de/verkehr/a-57872600/deutsche-bahn-familien-researverkauf-droht-zu-erheben.html[3] - https://www.faq.deutschebahn.com/faq/faqs/228/familien-reservierung-wert-und-gratis-fuehrung-bodenverkehr.html
In response to the elimination of the family seat reservation system, some have criticized Deutsche Bahn due to increased costs for families, as a family of four will now pay double for reservations compared to the previous price. However, Deutsche Bahn has highlighted that children under 15 still travel for free when accompanied by adults.
On a positive note, the timetable update on Sunday could bring some relief, as passengers will once again be able to cancel their Flex price tickets for free up to a day before the travel date, and some discount offers have already been introduced.
