When the train goes on strike, delays and cancellations are inevitable. Train passengers have to be patient on strike days. We summarize what passengers should know in the event of a rail strike.
Strikes Train drivers and train staff have to be patient. In the event of a strike, numerous connections are canceled and many passengers wait for the trains that are still running. People are queuing in front of the travel centers and thousands of travelers are stranded at the train stations. On Monday, March 27, there will be another strike in rail traffic, as “Ntv” reports. The railroad and transport union calls for a nationwide strike.
What rail passengers can do on strike days and when they are entitled to compensation. An overview:
In the event of a rail strike, how do I know if my train is running?
Deutsche Bahn writes on its website that during strikes it always tries to replacement timetable set up. Long-distance travelers should check whether their train is running or not from 12 hours before departure. You can do this online at the travel information desk or in the DB Navigator app. The train provides information about current traffic reports and strikes at bahn.de/aktuell. Most of the time, the train is accommodating even in the event of a strike and travelers can still change their travel times if they want.
If you don’t travel with Deutsche Bahn trains, but with one private rail company drives should first go to the company’s website for information in the event of a strike, the consumer advice center advises.
How can I still get to my destination despite the strike?
In the past, Deutsche Bahn has partly used local transport at larger stations taxi rides organized for passengers in local transport. If you want to use a taxi on your own, you have to meet certain requirements in order for a railway company to cover the costs. This is regulated by the EU passenger regulation.
The railway company must therefore reimburse passengers for a taxi ride up to a maximum of 80 euros if their planned arrival at the destination is between midnight and 5 a.m. And the destination would be reached by train at least 60 minutes later. The same applies if the last scheduled train of the day is canceled and the destination cannot be reached otherwise by midnight.
In the event of a strike, the railways sometimes also release long-distance traffic for travelers with a ticket for local transport. Means: With such a release, travelers can also use an IC or ICE with their ticket for local transport. Railway companies can also organize shared buses as a replacement. Travelers can find up-to-date information in the event of a strike at bahn.de/aktuell.
When am I entitled to compensation in the event of a strike?
Is a train very late or cancelled, rail passengers have a right to Damage payment – this also applies to a strike. This is also regulated by the EU passenger regulation.
Come travelers one hour late to their destination, they get 25 percent of the fare reimbursedt, at two hours is the one refund of 50 percent of the fare is due.
Delays always refer to the Arrival time at destination. This means that if travelers miss their connection due to a 15-minute delay when changing trains and thus arrive at their destination station an hour late, they are also entitled to compensation.
From one Delay of 20 minutes at the destination station train passengers can use one take another train. This can also be a higher-value train – if it does not require a reservation. However, passengers may first have to pay for the additional ticket or the surcharge for long-distance transport themselves. And subsequently reclaim the higher costs from the railways.
Am I entitled to compensation even with a season ticket?
Even with a time card, like one monthly card, travelers can get money back if their flight is delayed by at least 60 minutes. “In the case of season tickets for local transport, the delays must be written down and submitted to the Service Center for Passenger Rights at the end of the month. Passengers for season tickets for local traffic receive: €1.50 (2nd class), €2.25 (1st class)” , informs the consumer center. However, will Amounts under four euros not paid out – there must have been several delays as a rule.
How can I get my ticket refunded?
Deutsche Bahn recommends that delays are always confirmed by company employees. On strike days, however, this often proves to be difficult. The consumer center therefore advises that Tardiness through photos of display boards or a screenshot of the delay information in the app or on the website to document.
Compensation can be sent to Deutsche Bahn by post with a completed passenger rights form and receipts are submitted or handed in at the travel center. Customers who have bought a ticket online can also do this directly in the app or on the computer in their customer account. More information about online reimbursement can be found here.
All refunds must within a year after the validity period of the associated ticket has expired. The first day of validity is noted on the ticket.
What if I don’t want to start or cancel my journey because of the train strike?
If it is already clear before departure that the train will arrive at its destination at least one hour later than planned, rail passengers can withdraw from the journey and have the full fare reimbursed. This also applies to canceled trains or missed connections.
If you are already on the road and cancel the journey, you can have the unused portion reimbursed. If travelers return to the station of departure, they get the full price back.
What to do if I’m stranded at a train station?
The worst case for many travelers during a strike: they are stuck at a train station. If the train cannot get you to your destination in any other way, the company must provide you with one accommodation to be arranged. Likewise, the way to the hotel and the next day to the train station must be organized.
If you want to find a hotel yourself, the consumer advice center recommends obtaining confirmation from the responsible railway company that there are no more trains that day and that the company cannot help with accommodation. Consumers must keep the hotel bill in order to be able to submit it. Deutsche Bahn informs on its website that hotel costs of up to 120 euros can be entered online in the passenger invoice form under the item “Due to the delay, I had additional expenses | I could not use my reservation”. For costs that are higher than 120 euros, the original receipts must be submitted by post.
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What about the catering?
The consumer advice center informs that the railway companies will charge passengers with delays of more than 60 minutes free meals and refreshments must offer in a reasonable relation to the waiting time. On the condition that these are available or deliverable on the train or station. If no food is provided, travelers should take care of themselves and keep the bills, advises the consumer center.
Sources: Consumer Center 1, Consumer Center 2, Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Bahn 2,