Deutsche Bahn criticised for passenger risk after Deutschlandticket booking change

Deutsche Bahn has incorporated the nationwide Deutschlandticket into its online booking system, allowing customers to purchase a single ticket for regional trains and urban transport at €63 per month. The ticket, used by an estimated 15 million people by the end of 2025, now appears as a separate contract from any subsequent long‑distance ICE reservation.

Critics say the new setup leaves travelers exposed: if a regional train (RE) is delayed and the passenger misses a connecting ICE, the Deutsche Bahn system does not credit the missed segment, forcing the traveler to cover the extra cost. Observers argue the railway missed a chance to improve punctuality protection for its customers, turning a simple booking improvement into a political issue about reliability and consumer fairness.