Flexibility and Movement - Digital-only Bahncard drawbacks criticized by consumer groups
Starting this Sunday, the plastic version of Bahncard is a thing of the past. Germany's Railway Company is now solely providing the discount subscription in its digital form. As of June 9th, there will be no more chip cards issued for this purpose, according to the railway's announcement. However, validity of existing Bahncards will continue until their expiration dates. This rule applies only to the variants 25 and 50, where holders enjoy a 25% or 50% discount on tickets. The Bahncard 100 will still be issued in a physical form.
Critics express concern over this move towards digitalization. Michael Stiefel, director of the "Inclusion of People with Poverty Experience" project at Germany's Diakonie, voiced his disagreement: "German Railway is displaying how it shouldn't be done. They're implementing an enviornmentally-friendly idea without considering its social repercussions." He explained that digital offers often create hurdles for those experiencing poverty: "People without digital devices or overwhelmed by digital applications will be excluded from using them henceforth." This impacts those with meager incomes and elders. Not everyone can handle digital payment options as well.
The Consumer Center had also earlier shared its apprehensions. It's unfortunate, they state, that customers without digital access are denied the fare discounts.
The railway, unperturbed by the criticism, clarified that Bahncard holders will still be able to carry it as a paper printout from now on. These can be purchased and paid for at the railway's customer centers. Despite the backlash, the railway claims that digital sales of its long-distance tickets amount to an impressive 90%, up from 51% a decade ago.
