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Deutsche Bahn to end Nachtzug service (CNL) and auto trains (Motorail) by end of 2016

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun May 22 16:24:21 2016

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German rail operator Deutsche Bahn to axe night train service by end of 2016

The decision by Deutsche Bahn to end its night trains in December has been met with criticism from the service's users. In 2015, the German rail operator suffered its first year-end loss in 12 years.

Date 22.05.2016
Author Kate Brady (DPA)

Despite objections, Deutsche Bahn announced on Sunday that its "classic night train service" will be coming to an end by the end of the year.

The rail company has already ended the night service on several routes as part of its "Zukunft Bahn" (Future track) concept, which aims to improve efficiency and punctuality. The company's car trains will also be axed by the end of October.

In response to the move, some 14,000 people have signed an online petition, calling the night train service to continue.

"We're very pleased with the response," said petition co-initiator Joachim Holstein. The petition is scheduled to be put to the German Traffic Committee in the Bundestag — Germany's lower house of parliament — on May 31.

"Abolishing overnight and car trains means more traffic on the roads and more short- and medium-haul flights," the petition criticizes.

Deutsche Bahn plans to replace its night-time connections with more ICE trains — Germany's high-speed InterCity Express service.

Negotiations are also reportedly underway with the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), which already runs classic night trains from Vienna, to Düsseldorf and Hamburg. The ÖBB had already expressed interest in providing more connections across Germany prior to Deutsche Bahn's announcement on Sunday.

"The night train business is a niche business," Deutsche Bahn said. With most of the night trains more than 40 years old, many are in need of significant investment — money which the rail operator doesn't currently have.

Despite a record turnover of €40.5 billion, Deutsche Bahn reported a net loss of €1.3 billion ($1.4 billion) in 2015 - its first year-end loss since 2003.

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