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Travelers in Hamburg in front of a metronome regional train
Photo: Christian Charisius / dpa
Taking bicycles on German trains has so far been a feat of strength, even without the nine-euro ticket.
This applies in particular to transport in ICs or ICEs.
But the increased number of passengers since the bargain ticket has made it even more difficult for travelers to take their bikes with them.
In regional trains operated by the railway operator Metronom, bicycles may only be used to a limited extent or not at all on several routes from Friday.
On the Göttingen-Hannover-Uelzen line and on the line between Bremen and Hamburg, bicycles are excluded from transport from Friday 3 p.m. to Sunday 10 p.m. until further notice, according to a statement.
"We assume that the trains will continue to be very full, especially on weekends," says Miriam Fehsenfeld, spokeswoman for the railway company.
The service is also canceled on the Hamburg-Uelzen route - but here also due to renovation work.
These will severely restrict train traffic from the coming weekend.
In addition, extensive rail replacement bus services will be set up between Hamburg-Harburg and Winsen in particular.
“In this situation, we simply can no longer take bicycles with us,” says Fehsenfeld.
The company had already regulated the carriage of bicycles at Whitsun.
During the holidays, the trains were sometimes so full that even passengers could no longer be taken along.
The regulation for the coming weekend should therefore also be seen as a preventive measure.
human comes first
Of course, it's a pity for cyclists, especially in summer, if they can't always take their bikes with them.
"But if we are faced with the choice of whether to take people or bicycles, then people come first." the situation relaxed.
The nine-euro ticket is available in June, July and August and is valid throughout Germany for one month for journeys on buses, trams and regional trains in 2nd class.
joe