faq
One of the longest rail strikes ever begins at 2 a.m. in passenger transport. How many trains are still running, what rules apply to tickets – and what alternatives are there to the train? What DB customers need to know.
Large parts of train traffic will be paralyzed for six days when the next strike by the German Locomotive Drivers’ Union (GDL) begins this evening – initially on freight trains. While experts estimate the overall economic damage at up to one billion euros, the consequences in everyday life are also serious. What DB customers and travelers within Germany need to know – an overview.
When exactly will the strike take place?
The strike began today at 6 p.m. in freight traffic. There will be a strike in rail passenger traffic from 2 a.m. on Wednesday night. Some trains are canceled beforehand because the journey should not end on an open route. The strike is scheduled to last until next Monday at 6 p.m.
How strong are they? restrictions in the Rail transport?
According to the DB Group, the new strike, which is probably one of the longest and most expensive rail strikes in German post-war history, will lead to “massive disruption” – in long-distance transport as well as in Deutsche Bahn’s regional trains and S-Bahn trains. In the coming days there will be “only a very limited train offering,” warns the DB.
What’s still running – despite the strike?
An emergency timetable applies during the days of the strike. The railway also wants to use longer trains to mitigate the consequences. During previous strikes, around one in five DB long-distance trains was still running. However, restrictions vary depending on the connection and region. In general, Deutsche Bahn asks its passengers to find out about the connection 24 hours before starting their journey.
Where can you get information?
Travelers can find detailed information about which trains are canceled on the railway website www.bahn.de or in the DB app. There is also a free telephone hotline for the railway at 08000-996633. However, the group points out that there may be longer waiting times when calling, especially during peak times.
What alternatives are there to traveling by train?
Private railways such as FlixTrain are not on strike by the GDL. According to information from the DB competitor in the afternoon, the green FlixTrains should “run as usual”. Tickets are still available on most routes on these trains, just like on the FlixBuses.
Airlines such as Lufthansa and Eurowings are offering additional domestic connections due to the rail strike, for example between Berlin and Düsseldorf – or are using larger aircraft. However, according to the companies, demand for tickets has also increased significantly. If you want to book a rental car as an alternative to the train, you have to be prepared for enormous price increases. According to internet comparison portals, rental companies sometimes charge twice as much for a rental car during the strike, depending on the route.
Can travelers take another train?
Yes. All passengers who would like to postpone their trip planned for Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 to Monday, January 29th, 2024 due to the GDL strike can do so. You can use your tickets for this period “at a later date,” the railway writes on its homepage. The train connection has been lifted.
This means you can continue your journey to your planned destination with any other train, even if the route is different than the original one. This also applies to trips from abroad to Germany and vice versa. Seat reservations that are no longer needed can be canceled free of charge at the DB sales point.
The railway also points out a goodwill offer: If you have the opportunity to bring your trip forward, you can travel today instead of in the coming days.
Can travelers return their ticket before the journey?
Anyone affected by the rail strike and cannot or does not want to postpone their trip can cancel tickets and seat reservations that have already been booked free of charge and have the entire travel price refunded. This can be done at the DB travel center.
For tickets from the Internet, there is an online application form that can be accessed via your customer account in the Deutsche Bahn’s online area or via the Bahn app. It is also possible to submit an application by post using the passenger rights form.
The ticket price will be 100 percent refunded if the journey is canceled or if rail passengers arrive at the destination station at least 60 minutes late due to the strike and therefore do not even start the journey.
Does the train pay for delays?
Yes. Even during the strike, general passenger rights apply in the event of delays. They stipulate that if there is a delay of 60 minutes at the destination station, rail customers will receive a portion of the fare they paid back: 25 percent of the ticket price for the one-way journey. If the delay is 120 minutes or more, the penalty is 50 percent.
Customers can choose whether they want the delay compensation paid out as a voucher or in money. A corresponding application form is available at the travel center or on the Internet.
Does the railway also compensate travelers? Germany ticket?
Travelers who have a Deutschlandticket or other time travel tickets also receive compensation for delays of 60 minutes or more. This is a flat rate: for long-distance season tickets it is five euros in second class and 7.50 euros in first class. With the Bahncard 100 it is ten euros in second class and 15 euros in first class. For country tickets or cross-country tickets, the compensation is 1.50 euros for second class and 2.25 euros for a first class ticket. 1.50 euros are also available when traveling with the Deutschland Ticket.
However: amounts of four euros or more will only be paid out. Therefore, customers may have to “accumulate” several delays until they exceed this limit.
Does the railway pay for a taxi or hotel room?
In two situations, the railway exceptionally provides its passengers with other means of transport such as taxis: If the scheduled arrival time is between midnight and 5 a.m. and the expected delay at the destination station is at least 60 minutes; or if the last scheduled connection of the day is canceled and the destination station can no longer be reached by midnight without a taxi.
If the train does not do this – for example, late at night – customers are allowed to get into the taxi on their own and can then claim the costs from the train. The maximum amount is 120 euros.
If it is not possible or unreasonable to continue the journey on the same day due to a train cancellation or delay, the railway must either provide its customers with overnight accommodation or later reimburse “reasonable accommodation costs”. Passengers must first take advantage of the railway’s overnight accommodation offers before looking for a hotel themselves.
What applies to being late at work?
The employee bears the so-called travel risk. Employees must therefore do everything reasonable to get to work on time. This could mean traveling by car instead of taking the train. The employee must plan for delays that are foreseeable – such as a strike. For example, you have to leave earlier or plan more time for a detour.
If you are still late, this can have consequences under labor law. But there are also limits: For example, it is unreasonable to start your journey to work the day before and spend the night in a hotel. You also don’t have to pay taxi fares that are completely out of proportion to your salary.
Are employees entitled to work from home?
If getting to work is particularly difficult due to strikes or demonstrations, it may make sense to work from home. However, there is no “right to work from home”. Working from home requires the consent of the employer.
Conversely, the employer cannot unilaterally decide that their employees have to work from home. Home office is therefore only possible with mutual agreement. Another option is to take vacation or reduce overtime. Here it is worth talking to your employer to find suitable solutions.
With information from Finn Hohen Schwert and Michael Nordhardt, ARD legal department.