Federal Minister of Transport Steffen Bilger (CDU) took no action regarding the surprising, permanent introduction of Deutsche Bahn’s “Family Ticket,” according to a ministry spokesperson speaking to the dts Nachrichtenagentur on Monday. While the Minister had criticized the abolition of the previous family reservation last year, he has since expressed that he is “grateful and delighted” with the new implementation.
The spokesperson explained that the German rail corporation operates autonomously as a large company, noting that “the board of directors is very, very free in its decisions.”
The discount family reservation, which allowed up to five people to travel for €10.40, was scrapped by Deutsche Bahn last summer. The replacement “Family Ticket” will cost €99.99 for a round trip, which includes seat reservations, and can accommodate up to two adults and three children. The railway giant plans to introduce this new ticket on November 1st, launching directly after the autumn school holidays conclude in nearly all German states.
