The train drivers’ union GDL has decided to strike again at Deutsche Bahn. There is a strike from Thursday to Tuesday, so the weekend is also affected. You can find all information on this and all other developments regarding the rail strike in our live ticker.
Deutsche Bahn is trying to dampen the consequences of the announced five-day strike. Here we summarize for you what travelers need to know and what options they have.
How can I get my ticket refunded?
Anyone who does not want to take the trip during the strike period – for whatever reason – can have the ticket reimbursed free of charge. This also applies expressly to connections that would be available. For tickets bought online or in the app, a Goodwill form to be completed on the DB website. Tickets bought at the counter can only be returned there. Experts advise not to postpone the complaint for long.
Anyone who has problems handling the railways can, for example, consult the Arbitration Board for Public Transport (SÖP) and get one online Arbitration request place. Their lawyers help consumers to get their rights free of charge.
I want to drive – what do I have to do?
If you have already booked a ticket, you don’t have to write off the trip straight away. Most of the connections will fail. According to the railway, however, the main traffic routes in particular demand and the connection to important train stations and airports should be served at least at regular intervals. A basic range of regional and S-Bahn trains is to run in metropolitan regions. Therefore, travelers should first check whether the train is running.
Customers can find the replacement schedule in the DB Navigator App and online in the Timetable information of the Deutsche Bahn. In the live information, you can only find trains that go to their destination in any case. Customers can also contact the Deutsche Bahn strike hotline on 08000/99 66 33 or contact the DB staff on the platform.
Can I claim compensation if I am delayed?
If there are delays on the selected connection, passengers have a Right to compensation. The amount 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, for more than 120 minutes it is 50 percent. Travelers can make claims with the Passenger rights form online, on the train or in a DB office. In addition, the complaint works in the customer account www.bahn.de or in the DB Navigator app.
A complaint can also be worthwhile for holders of season tickets. Deutsche Bahn offers flat-rate compensation for delays of more than an hour.
In order to be able to prove the delay, those affected should ideally have the disruption certified by DB employees at the train station. Alternatively, photos of display boards or screenshots from the mobile phone display showing the information about the delay are sufficient.
In certain cases, passengers who have to expect a delay of at least 60 minutes at their destination can use another means of transport such as bus or taxi. This applies if the scheduled arrival time is between midnight and 5 a.m. Deutsche Bahn will then reimburse costs up to a maximum of 80 euros if the original invoice is available.
My connection does not work: can I change?
The following applies to long-distance traffic: If the train for which the ticket is valid does not run, passengers can switch to another connection. Even higher-quality trains – for example ICE instead of IC – can then be used. The train connection is canceled. Tickets that have already been booked for the strike period from September 2nd to 7th inclusive can be used on another day. According to the railway, they are valid from August 30th to September 17th inclusive.
The following applies to local transport: If connections are delayed by at least 20 minutes, passengers can use long-distance trains at no extra charge. Before passengers board a long-distance train, however, they must buy a valid ticket. You can have the costs reimbursed later by Deutsche Bahn. However, this only applies if the original route is no longer than 50 kilometers 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.
Other means of transport as an alternative
Anyone traveling by train to another city during the strike should check whether they can rebook to a flight or a rental car. Caution! Prices could rise massively between the strike days.
If you are traveling privately, you should consider: The less you have to change on a route, the lower the risk that you will end up in unknown cities and possibly even have to spend the night there.
Travelers should also check the news, pay attention to announcements on the platform and in the trains and also note the hotline 0800 09 96 633. Because trains could fail unexpectedly on the day of the strike, travelers should definitely check alternatives such as Flixtrain, Flixbus, Eurolines, Uber, MyTaxi and other private providers.
In the past, Deutsche Bahn organized long-distance buses or shared taxis to replace trains. That could repeat itself now.
Rail strike during Corona – that’s important now!
It could get busier than usual in the corridors and on the platforms. Travelers should definitely bear that in mind.
If possible, keep your distance and wear an FFP2 mask. Take several masks with you on longer train journeys, which you can exchange at regular intervals. It is also helpful to have disinfectant with you if you want to go to the train toilets, for example.