The 9-euro ticket has become a real challenge for German local and regional transport. Full trains and more going on on the rails, so it’s not surprising if a little sand ends up in the gears. With DB and Co., this is usually reflected in delays or even train cancellations. The ADAC reveals what owners of a 9-euro ticket need to know.
Anyone who travels with the 9-euro ticket or during the three months in which it is valid knows the worry about overcrowded trains. It is true that Deutsche Bahn and Co. have come through the summer with extremely high passenger numbers better than some had assumed. But there are always incidents that can lead to delays and failures of your connection.
Disadvantage of the 9-euro ticket: If you are late, you will not get any money
ADAC legal experts reveal what you can do if it actually happens in the video (above). Right at the beginning there is a bitter disappointment for owners of the 9-euro ticket: You don’t have to hope for reimbursement of travel expenses, when the train is late.
Normally, you are entitled to 25 percent of your ticket price for a delay of 60 minutes or more, and you can request half a refund for a delay of 2 hours or more. The problem: With time tickets such as the 9-euro ticket, Deutsche Bahn caps possible refunds at 25 percent. At the same time, only Refunds paid from a value of 4 euros or more. Anyone who uses the 9-euro ticket and is affected by delays falls below the so-called minor limit and gets nothing.
But you have that entitled to one night’s accommodation in a hotel, if you are stuck on the same day due to a delay of 60 minutes or more. If the worst comes to the worst, DB and Co. will have to reimburse you for the costs. If the train breaks down on the way because of a defect, you also have to be transported on.
You should only use a taxi in rare cases, because the legal limits within which the railways have to bear the costs are very tight. Better not expect it to work. Also, there is one Upper limit of 80 euros. If you need a longer journey, you have to bear the costs.
Change in case of delay: IC and ICE are taboo
There is no train connection with the 9-euro ticket. You are actually entitled to use a different connection if you are more than 20 minutes late. Even changing to a higher-priced train is then usually not a problem. However, the 9-euro ticket offers such a big discount compared to the normal fare that you with the DB you can’t just switch to long-distance trains can.
Despite a 9-euro ticket: this is how you become a fare dodger
Particularly important: Anyone who uses the 9-euro ticket must be able to identify themselves. Because the tickets are personalized, inspectors can check that the information on your ID and the ticket match. This also applies if you use a digital ticket on your mobile phone. If you don’t have your ID or your smartphone battery is empty, you have to reckon with the fact that you won’t be able to continue – and it can also be expensive.
Anyone who knows and heeds these tips from the ADAC is well prepared for the last few weeks of the 9-euro ticket – even if it gets full again.