German Left Party Aims to Make Rail Travel More Affordable for Families
The German Left Party is set to introduce a range of measures to make rail travel more accessible and affordable for families, particularly during the summer holiday season. According to the party’s plan, families will be guaranteed reserved seats without additional costs and owners of the Deutschlandticket will be able to enjoy free ICE train rides.
“We want to make sure that every family has guaranteed seats without extra charges” said Ines Schwerdtner, the party’s chair, in an interview with the Rheinische Post. “We don’t want to make holidays a luxury only a few can afford, but rather a possibility for everyone.”
The party’s proposal includes several measures to make rail travel more secure and affordable. These include making family reservations free of charge and allowing at least six free ICE rides per year for Deutschlandticket holders. Additionally, the party is calling for a price moratorium during holiday periods, arguing that a targeted price brake is necessary to prevent family vacations from becoming a privilege for the few.
The plan also includes a proposal for a free Deutschlandticket for a year for all 18-year-olds, aimed at ensuring equal mobility for young people. Furthermore, the party is advocating for increased investments in safety, personnel and infrastructure. To achieve this, the party believes that the special fund of 500 billion euros, which the federal government has put in place, should be used in a targeted manner.