Bye, bye Bahn Card?

[blackfive460]

According to an allegedly leaked information, DB are going to withdraw the Bahn Card (and all overnight trains!) according to the story in German at
http://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/bahncard-103.html or in English at http://www.dw.de/deutsche-bahn-denies-reports-on-plans-to-scrap-bahncard/a-18109485.

DB, of course, denies everything...

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn has rebuffed claims by broadcaster Hessischer Rundfunk that it is planning to abolish the discount BahnCard. The report also said DB aims to reduce costs to 1.5 billion euros by 2019.

 

[30907]

It only says "could" withdraw all night trains, presuambly meaning the remaining CNLs. Given that the remaining sleepers are pretty modern, I'd be surprised, but on the other hand, the couchettes are I believe getting elderly....

 

[Bletchleyite]

According to an allegedly leaked information, DB are going to withdraw the Bahn Card (and all overnight trains!) according to the story in German at
http://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/bahncard-103.html or in English at http://www.dw.de/deutsche-bahn-denies-reports-on-plans-to-scrap-bahncard/a-18109485.

DB, of course, denies everything...

Overnight trains I could believe, they are haemorrhaging money and unlike in the UK don't appear to be particularly attractive to business travellers. The BahnCard - well, they might try it, but last time they did (reduced the discount to 25%) there was absolute uproar and it was reinstated at 50%.

Neil

 

[radamfi]

Night services across Europe have been in decline for years as there is less need for them thanks to daytime high speed rail and low cost airlines. The German coach companies have also developed comprehensive overnight services, which can't be helping matters either.

http://meinfernbus.de/download/map/night
https://www.flixbus.com/overnight-bus

 

[Greenback]

I'm sure the night services will be at risk. As radamfi says, they've been declining across the continent for some time, and I don't think they have much of a future at the moment.

They may return in future, though, if air fares increase, and cheap low costs carriers get knocked back as a result. That said, the cheaper market segment may move towards the coaches instead.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They may return in future, though, if air fares increase, and cheap low costs carriers get knocked back as a result. That said, the cheaper market segment may move towards the coaches instead.

True, though that market segment is probably only the one that would normally use the seated coach on the train. Nobody seems as yet to have tried the Megabus Gold sleeper coaches in Europe - not even Stagecoach. (I've tried it to Glasgow - surprisingly comfortable - I'd seriously consider it for a long European trip).

Neil

 

[radamfi]

True, though that market segment is probably only the one that would normally use the seated coach on the train. Nobody seems as yet to have tried the Megabus Gold sleeper coaches in Europe - not even Stagecoach. (I've tried it to Glasgow - surprisingly comfortable - I'd seriously consider it for a long European trip).

Neil

I liked the original Megabus Sleeper coach when it was run by bendy coaches. The big problem with the new double deckers is that it is possible that you will be sleeping in a double bed with someone of the same sex that you don't know. That is IMO unacceptable. When I did use it I was lucky enough to get a single bunk and that was fine.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I liked the original Megabus Sleeper coach when it was run by bendy coaches. The big problem with the new double deckers is that it is possible that you will be sleeping in a double bed with someone of the same sex that you don't know. That is IMO unacceptable.

It's fairly unlikely based on how they allocate, but it would to me be better if you could (given that all the vehicles used are the same) choose your bunk at the time of booking, with the doubles only being available to those making a booking for two. (Of course if a single traveller wanted one for added luxury they could pay double the fare).

Though that could make the split by gender, that they do seem to do, a bit difficult.

Neil

 

[radamfi]

It's fairly unlikely based on how they allocate

I realise they minimise the possibility by getting people who know each other to share first, but the driver did admit that strangers do sleep together.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I realise they minimise the possibility by getting people who know each other to share first, but the driver did admit that strangers do sleep together.

There are partitions at the head and foot end. I think it could be made less awkward by modifying it to have a partition the full length of the berth.

In a way it should be no different from sleeping next to someone else in a seat which happens all the time on coaches, the intention being that like on European couchettes you don't undress. But I agree it just *feels* odd.

Neil

 

[lookapigeon]

It'd be a shame if they canned the CNL sleepers, having Interrailed in the summer the service they had on the modern cars from Paris L'est were comfortable and well specified.

 

[dutchflyer]

True, though that market segment is probably only the one that would normally use the seated coach on the train. Nobody seems as yet to have tried the Megabus Gold sleeper coach

Neil

THere have certainly be trials as such-with same type of 'sleeper'' in the past but in many countries (in the EU, yes) they were deemed unsafe and hence banned after some nasty accidents.
In China and countries around (Vnam, Laos) there are differently styled sleeperbuses, whcih are even far more unsafe (IMHO), but (as I am in that area now) noone would object much as lying down sardine style.