The 9 euro ticket is a complete success. However, the many new rail customers also ensure that the actual state of Deutsche Bahn is disclosed. The unions EVG and GDL are concerned and list shortcomings. They had “never experienced” conditions like this.
9-euro ticket: Poor conditions on trains
The whole of Germany can be discovered for a small monthly sum with the 9-euro ticket. A lot of customers make use of that often leads to overcrowded trains. The current situation would clearly show where Deutsche Bahn is struggling, say the EVG and GDL unions. The deputy chairman of the railway and transport union EVG says that he has “never experienced” such conditions.
On a train from Rostock to Hamburg he saw how Passengers “fell off the train” at the stationwhen the doors opened. The heavy use of stations and trains can be seen in many places. Toilets on trains are broken more often and elevators work less often than before.
According to the trade unionists, the 9-euro ticket also has direct Effects on the health of railway employees, as a glance at the high levels of sick leave shows. Her colleagues are currently working “at the limit” (source: FAZ).
The chairman of the train drivers’ union GDL, Claus Weselsky, also speaks of one “absolute super meltdown” with the 9 euro ticket. He rates the state of the DB as chaotic and catastrophic, which can be explained by “years of broken savings”.
This is how the 9 euro ticket works:
Deutsche Bahn: Fewer and fewer trains on time
In June 2022, according to official DB figures, only 58 percent of long-distance trains on time, in regional transport it was 88.5 percent. According to Bahn boss Richard Lutz, the lower punctuality rate is due to the increased number of passengers and the congested rail network.