Rail travelers need strong nerves: The train drivers’ union GDL announces strikes from Wednesday. The question arises: is there a refund for tickets? And how do I get there anyway?
Now there is certainty: The German Train Drivers Union (GDL) is calling on its members to go on strikes this Wednesday. From 2 a.m. onwards, work is to be stopped for 48 hours in passenger traffic. Rail travelers face delays and train cancellations.
In view of the strike, Deutsche Bahn passengers should find out in good time whether their desired connection is available. If not, you should quickly find another mode of transport. Important questions and answers:
When does the strike start?
The GDL has already called on its members to strike at Deutsche Bahn on Tuesday. The freight traffic is to be on strike from 7:00 p.m. In the passenger traffic, the labor dispute is to last from Wednesday, 2:00 a.m. to Friday, 2:00 a.m.
The strike is only directed against Deutsche Bahn, says GDL press spokeswoman Gerda Seibert. Other railway companies are not affected. Nevertheless, according to the arbitration board for local public transport (söp), there can also be adverse effects on competitors of the railways, for example if trains that have stopped blocking the rails.
What does this mean for rail traffic?
Train cancellations are inevitable. According to Deutsche Bahn, the nationwide range of long-distance transport is to be reduced to around a quarter. According to the company, connections between Berlin and the Rhine / Ruhr region, between Hamburg and Frankfurt am Main, as well as connections to important train stations and airports, have priority. Trains with the greatest possible seating capacity are to run on selected main axes at least every two hours.
There will also be restrictions in regional and S-Bahn traffic. According to Bahn, the aim is to maintain a basic offer for school children and commuters as well as important feeders to long-distance trains or airports in metropolitan regions and rural areas.
Is there an emergency roadmap?
The replacement timetable is available to Deutsche Bahn passengers online in the timetable information and in the DB Navigator app.
Where can travelers find out if their train is canceled or delayed?
Deutsche Bahn gradually feeds information about this into the timetable information and the app. In addition, the company wants to employ hundreds of additional employees to inform travelers at the train stations. A strike hotline is also available to passengers on 08000-996633.
How do those affected get the money for their ticket back?
Deutsche Bahn is accommodating during the strike: Long-distance tickets that have already been booked for the strike period remain valid until August 20 and can be used flexibly. There is no train connection with saver prices. Trains other than those indicated on the ticket can also be used to continue your journey. This also applies to local trains.
If you do not want to travel at a later time, you can have your ticket refunded free of charge using a goodwill form on the DB website or at the DB sales point.
Basically, however, the passenger rights of the EU Passenger Ordinance also apply during labor disputes, explains Beatrix Kaschel from the local transport arbitration board in Düsseldorf. This means that the train has to repay at least part of the fare even in the event of delays.
The amount of compensation depends on the length of the delay. “If passengers arrive at least 60 minutes later than planned, they are entitled to a 25 percent reimbursement, and for more than 120 minutes it is 50 percent,” says the expert. These claims can be made online, on the train or in a DB office using the passenger rights form.
How can passengers prove connection disruptions?
The consumer advice center North Rhine-Westphalia advises collecting receipts for delays or train cancellations. Ideally, travelers should have the disruption from DB employees at the train station certified.
Alternatively, those affected can also take photos of display boards or screenshots of information in the DB app or on the railway company’s website showing the delay or cancellation of the train.
What alternatives to the train do travelers have?
- Continue by taxi: “In the past, Deutsche Bahn has already organized taxi rides from larger train stations and given out vouchers for local transport,” says conciliator Beatrix Kaschel. “If travelers are looking for a taxi on their own, however, there are restrictions – the company does not have to take over every taxi invoice retrospectively. The railway company only has to reimburse the costs for a taxi up to a maximum of 80 euros if the planned arrival at the destination is between midnight and 5 a.m. and travelers arrive by train at least 60 minutes later. The same applies if the last scheduled train of the day is canceled and travelers do not reach their destination in any other way by midnight. “
- Continue with long-distance transport: “If it becomes apparent that passengers will only reach their destination with local trains with a delay of more than 20 minutes, they can take a long-distance train at no extra charge,” says Kaschel. However, before passengers can board the long-distance train, they must purchase a valid ticket. “You can have the railway company reimburse you for the additional expenses you incur later. However, this right only exists if the original route is not more than 50 kilometers long or does not take longer than an hour. This rule does not apply to a significantly reduced ticket, for example a national or semester ticket. “
- Continue with your own car: costs for journeys by private car will not be reimbursed by the railway.
- Switching to a rental car, long-distance bus or plane: Passengers who have not yet booked a Deutsche Bahn ticket can use other means of transport. For example, Flixbus, Eurowings and the Federal Association of Car Rental Companies in Germany are currently noticing an increase in demand. As a result, capacities tend to become scarcer and prices rise.
What applies to commuters?
In principle, even in the event of a strike, employees must exhaust all possibilities in order to be on time at work. If problems in passenger transport are foreseeable, employees cannot rely on the railways, but have to look for alternatives. In the event of a delay, employees should inform the employer in good time. In the worst case, there is a risk of a warning.
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
