Latest news with #DeutscheBahn
Local Germany
17 hours ago
- Business
- Local Germany
Germany's Deutsche Bahn to offer raft of discount rail tickets for summer
The offers are aimed at different groups of customers, from short-distance travellers to young people and seniors. Deutsche Bahn's Stefanie Berk said: "In the future, we want to score even more points with offers that are precisely tailored to individual customer groups. We focus on the needs of bargain hunters as well as those who appreciate comfort and want to travel flexibly. There's something for everyone." The discounts include: Short-distance travellers: The lowest price for the super savings price for short distances will be reduced from the current 9.99 euros to 6.99 euros from June 15th. Young people: MyBahnCard 50 for under-27s reduced to €49.99 instead of €79.90 euros from June 15th to December 13th, which DB says could make ICE trips as cheap as €9.74. Seniors: A Seniors BahnCard Plus will, for an extra charge, offer passengers free drinks on board, eight day lounge passes and preferential care in DB travel centers. Advertisement Commuters: Between June 15th and 28th, 25% discounts for commuters on personal monthly long-distance tickets. Flexible travellers: Flexpreis bookings made between June 15th and July 31st for travel over 28 days in advance will be cheaper. It will also be possible to cancel Flexpreis tickets up to one day before departure, rather than eight. However, as well as enjoying discounts, travellers will face extensive disruption this summer, with works across the country causing delays and cancellations. For more information in German visit Deutsche Bahn's website .
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Implenia gets contract for work on Nordmainische S-Bahn section in Frankfurt
Implenia has received a contract worth over €200m ($226.9m) for the construction of a section of the Nordmainische S-Bahn below central Frankfurt, Germany. The contract was issued by DB InfraGO, part of German state-owned railway company Deutsche Bahn. The new underground section will extend from Konstablerwache in the city centre to Fechenheim, passing through the new 'Frankfurt (Main) Ost (tief)' S-Bahn station. Implenia's responsibilities include building the initial construction pit, known as the 'Trog', and the pit for the underground station, as well as several auxiliary construction pits and associated civil engineering structures. Additionally, Implenia will be drilling two tunnel tubes, each around 1.2km in length, using tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and implementing water management measures. The complexity of the project is heightened by its location in a populated area of the city, necessitating a range of special foundation services to meet the demands of modern and sustainable construction. The detailed building design work is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, with construction set to commence in early 2026 and conclude by 2031. Implenia Civil Engineering head Edwin Scherer said: 'Maintaining and developing a functioning transport infrastructure is central to the sustainable development of our cities. I'm very pleased that Implenia, with its many years of experience and comprehensive expertise, can contribute to the improvement of public transport in the densely populated Rhine-Main region.' The Nordmainische S-Bahn project is a strategic investment in the transport infrastructure of the future, aiming to enhance local transport connections. The project is seen as pivotal for expanding rail capacity in the Frankfurt (Main) hub and is expected to deliver improved reliability and comfort for commuters and travellers while also contributing to carbon reduction targets, highlighted Implenia. Last month, Deutsche Bahn commissioned a joint venture of Implenia and HOCHTIEF for '733 Tunnel Ostbahnhof', a component of the Munich S-Bahn expansion project. "Implenia gets contract for work on Nordmainische S-Bahn section in Frankfurt" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Europe wants seamless international train travel. Deutsche Bahn says it's getting there
This autumn, Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany's national railway company, will begin rolling out a new digital infrastructure that it says will streamline international rail bookings. The move is part of a long-awaited push to simplify travel across Europe's patchwork of national railway networks. '[You will] be able to book an international journey just as easily as a domestic one,' Michael Peterson, DB's board member for long-distance transport, told German press agency DPA. 'This brings us closer to a major goal,' he continued: seamless cross-border rail travel across Europe, powered by a unified digital system and regulations backed by the EU. Starting this autumn, DB will adopt a new data-sharing standard known as OSDM (Open Sales and Distribution Model). This EU-endorsed interface is intended to give European rail operators instant access to each other's ticketing systems. Using the OSDM as a framework, DB says it aims to offer integrated ticketing for virtually all major European railways by the end of 2026, including local transport, through its website and DB Navigator app. Rail expert Jon Worth is quick to point out that this will not be a single ticket, but rather 'a better way to stitch together tickets from different railways,' however. DB will initially integrate with Austria and Switzerland's national operators – the ÖBB and SBB, respectively – with other operators to follow in the coming months. Currently, booking international train tickets through DB's platform can be confusing, limited and, in many cases, expensive. While passengers can already buy some cross-border tickets running through Germany, many popular routes still require piecing together fares from different companies or making sense of multiple national rail sites. No single rail provider can cover a journey from Berlin to Barcelona, for example. Aside from convenience, the new system could begin to address a gap in passenger rights. Currently, travellers using separate tickets for different legs of a cross-border trip risk losing protection if a delay causes a missed connection. Addressing this issue – and ensuring full passenger rights throughout the journey, including rebooking and reimbursement – is such a priority that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made it a cornerstone of her second term. 'Cross-border train travel is still too difficult for many citizens,' she wrote in 2024. 'People should be able to use open booking systems to purchase trans-European journeys with several providers, without losing their right to reimbursement or compensatory travel.' Related Taking the train can be almost twice as fast as flying for some journeys in France Journey through the rainforest in luxury on Malaysia's last remaining sleeper train But such protection isn't yet guaranteed. Worth says that the OSDM doesn't compel rail operators to sell unified tickets. It also doesn't ensure consistent enforcement of passenger rights. 'What DB is doing is welcome for Germany, in particular, but it is insufficient,' he explains. 'To get genuine portals on which you can book any train anywhere in Europe, we need more than a technical standard – which is what DB is implementing, essentially – but [rather] binding rules for data sharing, commissions for ticket re-sale and better passenger rights if something goes wrong in a multi-operator rail journey.' The initiative comes amid increasing pressure from Brussels. EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas has said he plans to propose legislation to create unified platforms and make full passenger rights mandatory. That's causing some concern for DB – 'already one of the best' rail operators in Europe, according to Worth. Related The European tube: Inside the project to launch a continent-wide rail system New Madrid-Lisbon high-speed train to cut journey time from 10 hours to three Peterson warned that a digital standard other than the OSDM could undermine years of investment. 'That costs money, that costs time,' he said. Despite the lingering challenges, DB is optimistic. The company recently launched a direct high-speed ICE route between Berlin and Paris and plans further expansions. In 2024, DB also saw a 22 per cent increase in cross-border ticket sales compared to pre-pandemic levels – its best year yet. Now, with better tools, more collaboration and upcoming legislation, Europe's railways could finally begin to catch up with the expectations of climate-conscious travellers – and deliver on the promise of a truly connected continent.
Euronews
6 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
Easier cross-border train travel? Deutsche Bahn says it's coming
This autumn, Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany's national railway company, will begin rolling out a new digital infrastructure that it says will streamline international rail bookings. The move is part of a long-awaited push to simplify travel across Europe's patchwork of national railway networks. '[You will] be able to book an international journey just as easily as a domestic one,' Michael Peterson, DB's board member for long-distance transport, told German press agency DPA. 'This brings us closer to a major goal,' he continued: seamless cross-border rail travel across Europe, powered by a unified digital system and regulations backed by the EU. Starting this autumn, DB will adopt a new data-sharing standard known as OSDM (Open Sales and Distribution Model). This EU-endorsed interface is intended to give European rail operators instant access to each other's ticketing systems. Using the OSDM as a framework, DB says it aims to offer integrated ticketing for virtually all major European railways by the end of 2026, including local transport, through its website and DB Navigator app. Rail expert Jon Worth is quick to point out that this will not be a single ticket, but rather 'a better way to stitch together tickets from different railways,' however. Hey hoSeems the German media is having another "ooooh the railways are finally sorting their booking systems" round of articles todaySee Tagesschau and N-TV This is NOT ALL THAT IS SEEMS 🚨Quick #CrossBorderRail🧵[image or embed] DB will initially integrate with Austria and Switzerland's national operators – the ÖBB and SBB, respectively – with other operators to follow in the coming months. Currently, booking international train tickets through DB's platform can be confusing, limited and, in many cases, expensive. While passengers can already buy some cross-border tickets running through Germany, many popular routes still require piecing together fares from different companies or making sense of multiple national rail sites. No single rail provider can cover a journey from Berlin to Barcelona, for example. Aside from convenience, the new system could begin to address a gap in passenger rights. Currently, travellers using separate tickets for different legs of a cross-border trip risk losing protection if a delay causes a missed connection. Addressing this issue – and ensuring full passenger rights throughout the journey, including rebooking and reimbursement – is such a priority that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made it a cornerstone of her second term. 'Cross-border train travel is still too difficult for many citizens,' she wrote in 2024. 'People should be able to use open booking systems to purchase trans-European journeys with several providers, without losing their right to reimbursement or compensatory travel.' But such protection isn't yet guaranteed. Worth says that the OSDM doesn't compel rail operators to sell unified tickets. It also doesn't ensure consistent enforcement of passenger rights. 'What DB is doing is welcome for Germany, in particular, but it is insufficient,' he explains. 'To get genuine portals on which you can book any train anywhere in Europe, we need more than a technical standard – which is what DB is implementing, essentially – but [rather] binding rules for data sharing, commissions for ticket re-sale and better passenger rights if something goes wrong in a multi-operator rail journey.' The initiative comes amid increasing pressure from Brussels. EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas has said he plans to propose legislation to create unified platforms and make full passenger rights mandatory. That's causing some concern for DB – 'already one of the best' rail operators in Europe, according to Worth. Peterson warned that a digital standard other than the OSDM could undermine years of investment. 'That costs money, that costs time,' he said. Despite the lingering challenges, DB is optimistic. The company recently launched a direct high-speed ICE route between Berlin and Paris and plans further expansions. In 2024, DB also saw a 22 per cent increase in cross-border ticket sales compared to pre-pandemic levels – its best year yet. Now, with better tools, more collaboration and upcoming legislation, Europe's railways could finally begin to catch up with the expectations of climate-conscious travellers – and deliver on the promise of a truly connected continent.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
The silver jubilee of a strategic partnership
This month, India and Germany celebrate 25 years of strategic partnership. It is a partnership that has steadily evolved and is well equipped to take on the challenges of today's world. Germany's 'Focus on India' strategy outlines our vision for the future of the bilateral partnership. The new German Coalition Treaty, as well as early phone calls between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar speak a clear language — we will continue to build on this partnership, and to closely coordinate with our Indian partners. Our ties are multifaceted, but essentially stand on four pillars — peace, prosperity, people and the future of our planet. A shared vision Peace and stability are fundamental prerequisites for the development of our countries. India and Germany share a vision of a peaceful, stable and rules-based world. At the core of our trusted political relationship is a unique format: The Intergovernmental Government Consultations build a strong bridge between our government that solidifies and channels our ties in a comprehensive, productive and purposeful way. An area that has particularly thrived over the last years is our cooperation in the defence sector. I remember vividly standing on the hot tarmac at the Sulur Air Force station (Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu) during the Tarang Shakti Exercise (2024), witnessing the incredible air show of Indian and German pilots whizzing through the air with great skill, coordination and teamwork. These joint military exercises and port calls by the German Navy anchor the Indo-Pacific in the German geostrategic mental map. In the future, we can expect closer strategic cooperation, and closer ties between our defence industries. Prosperity means more than just economic growth. In a more comprehensive sense, it allows our people to flourish, to find meaningful jobs, and to provide their families with the means for a better future. Around 2,000 German companies are active in India, and they create more than 750,000 jobs for Indians. One of my most memorable moments in Delhi was visiting the Delhi-Meerut Rapid Rail. These are high-tech trains on great infrastructure, operated by young, talented Indians in the uniforms of Deutsche Bahn, our national railway company, which runs the operations in Delhi. A growing number of Indian companies are also present in Germany, increasingly integrated into our high-tech supply lines. In times of unprecedented global trade disruptions, these closely integrated supply lines testify to the trust that we place in each other. And this could be just the beginning, as a free trade agreement between India and the European Union — two of the global economic powerhouses — becomes tangible. Science and technology are another part of the prosperity equation. We do ambitious research together, and you will find Indian researchers in our top scientific institutions. With tech cooperation, we can transform environmental challenges into business cases. People-to-people ties People fill our strategic partnership with life and stories. A growing number of Indians now call Germany their home. Over 50,000 Indians study in our country — by now the largest group of foreign students at German universities. Some of them spend a few years in Germany, get their first jobs, gain technical experience, earn good money. Many of them then return to India to build their families there. Some Indians also stay in Germany and see their children grow up in our country. Either way, they deepen and enrich our ties. Many young Indians showcase their life in Germany online. I have met many of them in person and listened to their stories. I am always impressed by this uniquely Indian ability to make a new place a home. I see young Indians adapting, thriving, and making their contribution to German society and economy. Germany offers many opportunities to young, ambitious and gifted Indians, but more doors will open to those who learn German. I witness a great interest in our language all across India and we will have to explore new ways together to match well-equipped German teachers with every interested Indian. The second hurdle is in getting more Germans to study and to work in India. We need more people who understand the story of India, more people who speak one of the many fascinating languages of India, and more people who settle down there to set up shop. Any investment in the younger German and Indian generations will be an investment in the people that will propel our strategic partnership to new heights in the next 25 years. Green development Our partnership on the challenges and the future of our planet is one of the most important one: Planet earth is our common ecological lifeline, it future-proofs our livelihoods. In 2022, Germany committed €10 billion in preferential loans and grants for India, over a span of 10 years. This is what we call the Indo-German Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP). We cooperate with our Indian friends on a large scale on renewables, on biodiversity and on smart city projects. In addition to that, private sector cooperation in this area is also noteworthy. Recently, I visited renewable energy projects in Gujarat, whose scale and ambition are just astonishing — solar panels and windmills in all directions. The rotor blades of the wind turbines are partly produced by a German company — with our technology, we want to be a part of India's energy transition, and of the fast-paced economy of this country. I have had the privilege of serving in India twice — between 2007 and 2010 — and as Ambassador since 2022. In these years, India has developed in the most impressive way. And so has our strategic partnership. Looking back at what we have achieved together fills me with a sense of accomplishment, and with great optimism for what is yet to come. Philipp Ackerman is the German Ambassador to India
