Deutsche Bahn is raising these transportation fares.
Long-distance train travel is starting to become more expensive, especially for those who don't qualify for discounted prices. This is due to German Railways increasing some of its prices, with Flex fares going up by an average of 5.9% and Bahncard 100 prices increasing by 6.6%, as announced by the company. Tickets for specific routes will also see an increase in price.
According to German Railways, the price hike is a consequence of the current economic difficulties and a significant increase in costs, particularly due to recent wage agreements. The prices for BahnCards 25 and 50, as well as the initial prices for Super Sparpreis and Sparpreis tickets, will remain the same.
The justification for the price rise is the economic challenges and substantial cost increases, primarily due to recent wage agreements. The increased Bahncard 100 prices will also reflect the Germany ticket price increase of nine euros. Currently, a Bahncard 100 for second class costs €2,988 for under 27-year-olds and €4,550 for older passengers.
German Railways' Debt Conundrum
Tickets for the new timetable, effective from December 15, can be booked from October 16. The old prices will still be valid until December 14, as per the railway company. Last year, Flex prices and the Bahncard 25 were also increased by around 5% on average. At the December 2022 timetable change, the Flex price increased by 6.9%.
The price increases were anticipated. The debt of the state-owned company has reached a billion euros, with net debt at €32 billion. Most recently, the logistics subsidiary DB Schenker was sold to the Danish competitor DSV for around €14.3 billion, which was intended to help reduce debt.
With the Schenker sale, German Railways is focusing more on its rail-centric core business. Schenker was often criticized by railway critics due to its high share of road, air, and sea freight, which they believed did not align with the company's role.
The economic difficulties and cost increases, including wage agreements, have led to significant price hikes for Bahncard 100, reflecting the nine-euro increase in Germany ticket prices. Consequently, the overall cost of long-distance train travel in Germany is becoming more expensive.
The economic challenges and high debt of German Railways, reaching a billion euros with net debt at €32 billion, have necessitated the sale of its logistics subsidiary DB Schenker to DSV for €14.3 billion, aiming to reduce debt and focus on its rail-centric core business.
