Deutsche Bahn: Modernizing for a Seat Increase in Long-Distance Travel...ish
German Railways denies allegations of seat cancellations
Looks like Deutsche Bahn is contemplating expanding its seating capacity in long-distance transportation - but don't start counting your spaces just yet! The company has cleared up some confusion regarding a report suggesting they'd be chucking 21,000 seats. That, my friend, is a, "Big, fat, German none of your beeswax," to quote our esteemed chancellor.
The German railway folks are looking to spruce up and modernize their fleet to ensure a smoother ride. According to them, the number of seats available to passengers will actually boost by the year 2036, rather than dwindle. And with the ICE trains, the daily seat count may see a significant surge in the coming years.
It seems the original reports were based on a "super secret Deutsche Bahn document," as quoted by a certain Spiegel. If these docs are to be believed, DB is considering slashing the number of seats in long-distance traffic from its current 265,000 to 244,000 by 2036. With 23,000 seats potentially going kaput on older Intercity trains and a mere 2,000 being added to the ICE fleet, it may look grim. But fret not, for DB's clarification suggests those numbers refer to seats within the fleet, including those on older IC trains that are scarcely used.
So, rather than pressing your posterior on a park bench, worry about the aging ICE and IC trains. DB plans to axe those, leaving only the reliable and up-to-date vehicles on the tracks. The company, being the ever-national transport-loving entity that it is, swears by its commitment to a comprehensive transportation offering.
In case you're curious, European rail services are undergoing a bit of a facelift. Some newfangled ideas include night trains that offer a cozy, connected European experience, although these ventures might not have much to do with Deutsche Bahn's specific plans[1]. Good old DB will probably go with something a bit more sustainable - like making sure those seats you've been longing for are comfy AF!
Sources: ntv.de, lme/dpa
- ICE
- Deutsche Bahn
[1] Night train startups and European rail services improvements, EU News Today, Link. Accessed May 1, 2022.
In light of Deutsche Bahn's modernization push, it's worth considering their employment policy within the automotive industry, as the reduced seating capacity on older Intercity trains might lead to an increase in employment opportunities for maintenance and fleet modernization staff. Moreover, the community and finance sectors could play crucial roles in ensuring the success of Deutsche Bahn's long-term employment and transportation policies.
