Numerous commuters express frustration over train bathrooms
German Railways' train toilets have been a major source of inconvenience for numerous travelers during the past year, with complaints and reports reaching approximately 1500 in regional traffic and around 300 in long-distance traffic, according to the Düsseldorf "Rheinische Post" based on a reply from the Federal Government's Rail Ombudsman, Michel Theurer, provided in response to a query from the Union faction.
The response also shared that the average WC malfunction rate was 12.5% in DB Regio trains and 3.7% in long-distance trains in 2023. The significantly higher figure for DB Regio as compared to the long-distance trains is due to a different method of reporting malfunctions, as mentioned in the newspaper's report from the government response. At present, most of the train toilets are non-functional due to operational reasons, such as being clogged, as observed by Theurer.
The Vice-Chairman of the Union, Ulrich Lange, shared with the "Rheinische Post" that "the German Railways don't seem to have a handle on even their own train toilets." He further remarked that a malfunction rate of nearly one in ten train toilets in the DB Regional traffic for the past year is simply excessive. Faulty or semi-functional train toilets frustrate travelers and can potentially ruin every train journey. The railway needs to implement more measures to ensure the proper functioning of toilet facilities on trains.
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German Railways' international services have also faced criticism over train toilet conditions, with travelers reporting issues during their journeys. The need for improved toilet maintenance and facilities is a concern that extends beyond domestic railways, affecting the reputation of German Railways on the international stage.
