At the height of the coronavirus crisis, long-distance trains in Germany were virtually running empty, meaning that keeping one’s distance was hardly a problem. Now, however, with normal life gradually resuming, trains are getting fuller and fuller - but Deutsche Bahn still says it will not introduce a reservation requirement. 

Deutsche Bahn against mandatory seat reservations on trains

Deutsche Bahn is standing firm in the face of growing calls for a reservation requirement on trains in Germany - which would prevent people without a ticket from boarding, and therefore control the number of passengers on each train, ensuring that everyone has ample space. 

Speaking to ARD, Deutsche Bahn spokesperson Achim Stauß said that mandatory seat reservations were not an option for the railway, because they would bring too many restrictions for passengers, especially those who want to travel spontaneously - which the company sees as its primary advantage over air travel. 

“It’s just the case with the railway that sometimes passengers come spontaneously. I think of the 50.000 Bahncard 100 customers; I think of the many customers who have a monthly pass for a certain route,” said Strauss, emphasising that Deutsche Bahn wants to continue to make spontaneous train travel possible. “Because that is the big advantage compared to the plane, we do not want to give up this advantage, for the passengers’ sake.” 

The company has also rejected the idea of blocking off every second seat, on the grounds that it would make it impossible for families and friends to reserve seats next to each other. “We want families, we want couples to sit together,” said Strauss. 

German politicians argue measures do not go far enough

Deutsche Bahn’s decision to stick to the open booking system has received the full support of the Federal Ministry of Transport, which points out that passengers can find out on the Deutsche Bahn website whether specific trains are expected to be busy. Concerned passengers can then choose to book a different train. 

However, a number of opposition politicians have expressed displeasure at Deutsche Bahn’s attitude, arguing that these measures are not enough to avoid overcrowded trains and ensure the safety of all rail passengers. Christian Jung, rail expert for the FDP, stressed that what works on the plane must also work on the train, and has advised the federal government to insist on a reservation requirement.

The Greens’ spokesperson for rail policy, Matthias Gastel, has also called for the reservation system to be changed for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic so that passengers are automatically placed at a distance. The Greens have also suggested that extra cars should be kept free for designated risk groups to use.