Massive criticism of digital Bahncard

The Bahncard 25 and the Bahncard 50 have only been available digitally since June 2024 – the respective plastic cards have served their purpose. However, politicians and social associations are currently heavily criticizing Deutsche Bahn. People are being excluded from social participation, they warn.

Since the beginning of June 2024, the Bahncard 25 and the BahnCard 50 have only been available as digital versions on the Internet. Passengers must also set up a customer account. The Bahncard 100, which has relatively few subscribers, will continue to be available as a plastic card in the future. Deutsche Bahn's aim with this measure is to avoid waste.

Clear criticism of digital BahnCard

According to official information from Deutsche Bahn, around 5.5 million people used a Bahncard in 2023. Most passengers therefore used the Bahncard 25 (3.7 million). Around 1.2 million people had booked the Bahncard 50. Only 400,000 bought the Bahncard 100.

The social association VdK and several politicians have now clearly criticised Deutsche Bahn’s decision. Union parliamentary group vice-chairman Steffen Bilger (CDU) told the Rheinische Post for example, that Deutsche Bahn has a special responsibility as a company.

Millions of travelers of all ages are dependent on the service. According to Bilger, there should therefore be a choice between a digital and an analogue Bahncard. Member of the Bundestag Nadine Heselhaus (SPD) takes the same line. Digitalization does bring advantages, but it should not lead to a large number of people being excluded from social participation. Heselhaus pointed out that 3.1 million people in Germany have not yet used the Internet.

Deutsche Bahn rejects criticism

Verena Bentele, president of the social association VdK, added that the railway does offer customers without a smartphone a replacement document in the DB travel centers. However, this offer is not advertised sufficiently. Numerous VdK members also report that the replacement document is not available everywhere.

Deutsche Bahn had already rejected initial criticism of the digital BahnCard. The reason given was that it was still possible to carry the BahnCard 25 and 50 as paper printouts. They were available in the company's customer centers. However, Bahn customers also need a digital customer account for these.

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