Flush Out Old, Sit More: Deutsche Bahn Corroborates No Seat Reduction
German Railways (Deutsche Bahn) rejects reports of seat cancellations
Contrary to speculations, Deutsche Bahn assures no seat-cutting plans in long-distance traffic. The company, instead, looks to boost seat offerings by refurbishing and modernizing its fleet, with the actual seat count supposedly increasing by 2036[1].
In response to a recent "Der Spiegel" article, Deutsche Bahn dismissed claims of 21,000 seats being eliminated. DB clarified that the numbers mentioned by the media outlet don't refer to daily available seats but rather seats across the entire existing fleet, including older, underutilized Intercity trains[1].
The phasing out of older trains is a strategy employed by DB, with these outdated vehicles requiring more maintenance downtime and thus less available for passenger use[1]. Rest assured, Deutsche Bahn has no intention of withdrawing from nationwide traffic, as it remains "fully committed to a nationwide traffic offering," according to official statements[1].
For those wondering, ICE trains are expected to operate on routes currently served by Intercity trains, while ICE seats are forecasted to increase in the years to come[2]. Overall, this transformation of the long-distance fleet is aimed at increasing seating capacity, not reducing it.
Sources:
[1] ntv.de: ntv.de/cti/deutschland/deutsche-bahn-zieht-keine-sitzplaetze-aus-article24842944.html
[2] "Guide: New Timetable, New Prices: What's Changing for Rail Passengers": www.ntv.de/tz/raumschiff-bahnhof/article3659664.html
The community policy of Deutsche Bahn includes a commitment to nationwide traffic, ensuring that seats for long-distance travel will not be reduced, but rather increased through fleet modernization. In this industry, financial considerations may influence employment policy, as the company plans to phase out older, underutilized Intercity trains and replace them with more maintenance-efficient models, potentially leading to job changes in the transport sector.
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