The recent elimination of family reservation seating on Deutsche Bahn (DB) trains continues to draw significant criticism, culminating in a petition signed by over 128,000 citizens demanding its reinstatement. The Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD), a prominent transport advocacy group, spearheaded the initiative and recently presented the petition to DB, arguing that the move reflects a flawed customer service strategy.
The decision to scrap family reservations, initially introduced to guarantee seating for families traveling together, has sparked outrage amongst many passengers and passenger advocacy groups. Matthias Kurzeck, VCD’s chairman, highlighted the disconnect between DB’s actions and its stated goals, particularly in light of Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder’s recently unveiled “Agenda for Satisfied Customers on the Rails”. Schnieder’s agenda, seemingly prioritising passenger contentment, now faces a direct test of its implementation, with Kurzeck urging both DB and the Transport Ministry to reinstate the family reservation system as an initial step.
The financial burden on families has become a focal point of the backlash. Passengers now face additional costs, reportedly up to €44 for a return journey for a family of four, solely for guaranteeing seating. This contradicts the broader policy objectives of encouraging a shift from private vehicles to rail travel, especially for families. The added expense undermines efforts to make train travel a more accessible and appealing option for families.
Despite the mounting pressure, the newly appointed head of Deutsche Bahn has already dismissed any possibility of reversing the decision. Maintaining a stance similar to her predecessor, she insisted that DB is already “very family-friendly”. This assertion is being challenged by advocates who argue that the removal of a previously available service, designed specifically for families, demonstrably diminishes the overall passenger experience. The continuing disagreement highlights a fundamental divide between DB’s executive priorities and the stated needs and expectations of its customer base, raising questions about the effectiveness of current leadership within the national rail operator.
