On September 30, 2024, a traveler with a BahnCard 100 experienced a series of challenges during his long-distance journey with Deutsche Bahn. The arrival at the destination station in the Frankfurt metropolitan area turned out to be more difficult than expected and raises questions about infrastructure and service quality.
Defective Elevator Out of Service for Days
Upon arriving at the station, the traveler discovered that the elevator was out of order. A call to the emergency hotline of the elevator manufacturer revealed that the outage had been known since September 27. Despite this extended downtime, the elevator had not been repaired. This poses a significant problem for people with heavy luggage, disabilities, or elderly passengers.
Dangerous Descent with Heavy Luggage
The traveler was carrying a bicycle, suitcase, bag, and backpack. Without a functioning elevator, he had no choice but to carry his heavy luggage down the stairs. This situation was not only extremely strenuous but also dangerous.
Catastrophic Construction Site and Unacceptable Paths
After descending the stairs, the traveler encountered a chaotic construction site in the station area. The paths were inadequately marked and hardly passable for people with luggage or mobility impairments. There was no vehicle access on this side of the station, eliminating the option to call a taxi.
The route led over wet and partially flooded ground. Heavy gravel made it impossible to roll the suitcase, forcing him to carry it. Additionally, slippery metal plates were laid out, whose connections were loose, posing an additional tripping hazard.
Insufficient Lighting Increases Risk
The path was poorly lit. Only solar-powered emergency LED lamps that reacted to movement provided sporadic light. As soon as one stopped moving, it became dark again, making orientation difficult and increasing the risk of accidents.
Lack of Transportation Alternatives
Upon reaching the bus turnaround, no bus was in sight. Due to the extensive luggage, using a regular taxi was not an option; ordering a large-capacity taxi would have meant additional waiting time. The traveler was forced to cover the remaining distance on foot.
Conclusion: Urgent Need for Action in Infrastructure and Service
This experience vividly illustrates how deficiencies in Deutsche Bahn’s infrastructure and service can pose significant challenges to travelers. Especially in major cities, public transportation must be reliable and barrier-free to remain attractive. There is an urgent need for action to remedy such shortcomings and to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers.
If you also have mobility experiences from Germany, feel free to share them with our readers via the comment section.
