DB Latest - July 2007
Deutsche Bahn launches a 1st Class Offensive
Attractive prices and new services ● 1st Class Special: from EUR 54 in ICE trains ● Deutsche Bahn takes on 200 new employees in 1st Class
Travelling in the 1st class in the ICE is to become considerably more attractive. This will be assured by 200 new employees whose recruitment and training is to start in August. And that’s not all – plans include new 1st class lounges at stations, a choice of complimentary newspapers and magazines in the trains and more services throughout the whole journey. The entire concept should be up and running by 9th December.
"We want to offer our customers in 1st class a superior experience. That is why we are recruiting 200 new employees who will provide an exclusive service for these passengers", according to Dr. Nikolaus Breuel, Chairman of DB Fernverkehr AG. "We believe we will win over new customers with our 1st Class Offensive in the ICE. Our aim is to increase demand by 10% within one year." Currently the 1st class in ICE trains is used about ten million times a year.
Deutsche Bahn is starting an introductory offer, the 1st Class Special, on 1st August. The cost will be EUR 54 if purchased through the DB UK Booking Centre. The first possible travel date will be 4th August. The tickets will be restricted to a particular train and will be available as long as stocks last. The 1st Class Special will be sold until 28th August and the last possible date of travel will be 31st August. With this special offer Deutsche Bahn is hoping to continue the success of the Germany Special.
Travellers in 1st class already benefit from the at-seat service with drinks and snacks, the particularly generous legroom and plenty of peace to work or relax. At the end of August a 1st class area will open in the DB Lounge in Munich, and further lounges will follow. Whoever has a 1st class long-distance train ticket will be served personally with drinks and snacks at their seat. In addition there will be a large choice of newspapers and other high-quality reading matter. W-LAN internet access is free of charge for 1st class travellers in the DB lounges.
"We want to offer our customers in 1st class a superior experience. That is why we are recruiting 200 new employees who will provide an exclusive service for these passengers", according to Dr. Nikolaus Breuel, Chairman of DB Fernverkehr AG. "We believe we will win over new customers with our 1st Class Offensive in the ICE. Our aim is to increase demand by 10% within one year." Currently the 1st class in ICE trains is used about ten million times a year.
Deutsche Bahn is starting an introductory offer, the 1st Class Special, on 1st August. The cost will be EUR 54 if purchased through the DB UK Booking Centre. The first possible travel date will be 4th August. The tickets will be restricted to a particular train and will be available as long as stocks last. The 1st Class Special will be sold until 28th August and the last possible date of travel will be 31st August. With this special offer Deutsche Bahn is hoping to continue the success of the Germany Special.
Travellers in 1st class already benefit from the at-seat service with drinks and snacks, the particularly generous legroom and plenty of peace to work or relax. At the end of August a 1st class area will open in the DB Lounge in Munich, and further lounges will follow. Whoever has a 1st class long-distance train ticket will be served personally with drinks and snacks at their seat. In addition there will be a large choice of newspapers and other high-quality reading matter. W-LAN internet access is free of charge for 1st class travellers in the DB lounges.
Europe’s leading rail operators enter into a new alliance for high-speed travel
Railteam charter signed in Brussels on 2nd July 2007
In Europe, rail is the means of transport with the best chances of growth, according to Dr. Rausch, head of DB’s passenger services
In Europe, rail is the means of transport with the best chances of growth, according to Dr. Rausch, head of DB’s passenger services
On 2nd July Europe’s leading rail operators signed the Railteam charter in Brussels. The new alliance aims to link the national high-speed networks across borders and to make rail travel considerably easier and more convenient for travellers throughout Europe. The founding members of Railteam are Deutsche Bahn, the French SNCF, the Belgian SNCB, the Dutch NS, the Austrian ÖBB, the Swiss SBB and Eurostar.
“We will combine our tickets, introduce uniform standards of service and improve the information flow for our customers”, says Dr. Karl-Friedrich Rausch, head of DB’s passenger services. “We expect to have about 25 million passengers in the Railteam network by 2010.” Multilingual staff are already available to help customers at important junction stations such as Cologne, Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main, Brussels Midi and Lille Europe. Customers who are members of the DB bonus scheme, bahn.comfort, can now make use of 30 lounges throughout Europe and also have access to special conditions for car hire in the participating countries.
Further steps, such as extending the bonus schemes to the entire Railteam network and making it easier to purchase international tickets, are planned. “Together we will be investing approximately 30 million Euros up to 2009 in improving the international sales processes,” Rausch continued. It has also been agreed to increase the marketing of cross-border tickets and passes.
There are plans for new, large European investments in infrastructure in the coming years, which will result in considerable reductions in travel time. By 2010 the European high-speed network will grow by 2,400 km to approximately 7,600 km.
For more information, visit www.railteam.eu
“We will combine our tickets, introduce uniform standards of service and improve the information flow for our customers”, says Dr. Karl-Friedrich Rausch, head of DB’s passenger services. “We expect to have about 25 million passengers in the Railteam network by 2010.” Multilingual staff are already available to help customers at important junction stations such as Cologne, Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main, Brussels Midi and Lille Europe. Customers who are members of the DB bonus scheme, bahn.comfort, can now make use of 30 lounges throughout Europe and also have access to special conditions for car hire in the participating countries.
Further steps, such as extending the bonus schemes to the entire Railteam network and making it easier to purchase international tickets, are planned. “Together we will be investing approximately 30 million Euros up to 2009 in improving the international sales processes,” Rausch continued. It has also been agreed to increase the marketing of cross-border tickets and passes.
There are plans for new, large European investments in infrastructure in the coming years, which will result in considerable reductions in travel time. By 2010 the European high-speed network will grow by 2,400 km to approximately 7,600 km.
For more information, visit www.railteam.eu
More information or bookings
Contact the Deutsche Bahn UK Booking Centre on +44 (0)8718 80 80 66 (8p per minute) from Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm) or send an e-mail to sales@bahn.co.uk. Train timetables and more information can also be found on www.bahn.co.uk and www.bahn.ie.
Press contact
Issued by:
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Passenger Services
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Passenger Services
Suites 6/8
The Sanctuary
23 Oakhill Grove
Surbiton
Surrey
KT6 6DU
Contact:
Marlies Blom
Tel: 020/8339-4720
Fax: 020/8339-4770
E-mail: press@bahn.co.uk
Prices and information are correct at time of issue.
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