Status: 16.01.2024, 13:24 PM
By: Kai Hartwig
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The next GDL strike is coming: From 10 January, rail passengers will have to expect major restrictions. However, DB customers can claim consumer rights.
Munich – The next rail strike is imminent – and with it, Deutsche Bahn (DB) customers are once again threatened with chaos in travel planning. The German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL) wants to stop work again. GDL boss Claus Weselsky announced in December in an interview with the Rheinische Post that "strikes of three to a maximum of five days" are planned from January. Previously, the union had announced a "Christmas truce", which is valid up to and including 7 January. The GDL strike in passenger transport will not start until Wednesday (10 January).
Because of the traditional annual meeting of the German Civil Service Association (dbb), its federal head Ulrich Silberbach ruled out strikes by the train drivers' union GDL on Monday and Tuesday (8/9 January). "I agreed with Claus Weselsky before Christmas that there would be no strikes during the meeting in Cologne," Silberbach told the Kölner Stadtanzeiger. "The arrival and departure is ensured," he added: "What happens after that is no longer in my hands." The GDL is a member of the dbb, and Weselsky is also expected to attend the conference on both days.
GDL strike: Where can rail customers find out about their ticket rights?
On the other hand, rail customers will once again face trouble on the rails from Wednesday. But in the event of a GDL strike, they can insist on their consumer rights if the planned train journey is cancelled or significantly delayed. Here you can read an overview of the ticket rights rail passengers have in the event of a GDL strike.
The next GDL strike is imminent. Once again, rail passengers are threatened with chaos on the rails. © Wolfgang Maria Weber/Imago
Anyone who is affected by a train cancellation or delay should document this. A railway employee can confirm this. Photographing the scoreboard is also a possibility. To IPPEN. MEDIA also recommends to Julia Zeller from the Bavarian Consumer Advice Centre that travellers should check with Deutsche Bahn beforehand whether their train connection is affected by the GDL strike or not. Possible sources of information are:
- The homepage of Deutsche Bahn (https://www.bahn.de)
- The Rail App
- "DB Information" terminals at the stations
- Deutsche Bahn employees at the stations or on DB trains
- Free service hotline of the railway: 08000 996633
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Train cancellation or significant delay due to rail strike – these ticket rights apply
Rail passengers can invoke passenger rights in the event of a strike, the expert confirmed. And according to the consumer advocate, they will get their money back in full or at least in part if their train is cancelled or significantly delayed.
"Legally, the EU Passenger Regulation (EC) No. 1371/2007 applies here," says Zeller: "If the train is cancelled and the journey is cancelled, the passengers will be refunded the entire ticket price. In the event of a delay of 60 minutes or more, passengers will receive compensation. This is 60 percent of the ticket price for an arrival delay of 25 minutes, and 120 percent of the ticket price for a delay of at least 50 minutes."
| Passenger rights for rail customers in the event of a strike (Source: bahn.de) | |
|---|---|
| Train binding | cancelled in case of cancellation or at least 20 minutes delay of the original train connection |
| Delay of 60 minutes or more | Rail customers are entitled to compensation of 25 percent of the ticket price |
| Delay of 120 minutes or more | Rail customers are entitled to compensation of 50 percent of the ticket price |
| Train cancellation | Ticket price is fully refundable |
| Seat reservations | can be cancelled free of charge |
GDL strike to be announced at least 48 hours before start
In the event of a strike, Deutsche Bahn generally recommends that its customers postpone their own journey if possible, unless it seems absolutely necessary. In addition, it will be easier for affected passengers to rebook and goodwill will be encouraged. Train connections will be cancelled during the strike, cancellations of seats will be made possible free of charge, as well as the advance of one's own journey before the strike period - at no extra cost for rail passengers.
The GDL had already announced early on that it would announce its planned strike at least 48 hours before the work stoppage. This is intended to help rail customers to react to this and to be able to change the booked train connection. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bahn has submitted a new offer to the GDL. (kh)