Riders Fume Over Dirty, Toilet-Deficient Trains in Germany
Commuters are creating unsanitary conditions on trains at the rail depot
Germany's passengers are unimpressed with the filthy state of trains and stations, and the insufficient number of toilets, according to a survey by the Institute for Applied Social Sciences (infas) on behalf of the Federal Network Agency. Punctuality and communication between the railway and passengers also score low marks.
Out of 34% of passengers, a staggering majority complains about the unpleasant condition of stations and local trains. The bathroom situation is also a cause for concern, with more than half of respondents (52%) expressing dissatisfaction with station toilets. Local trains fare poorly compared to long-distance trains, particularly the ICE and IC.
Passengers may find it less surprising that trains are often delayed, with more than 80% preferring reliable connections over a higher train frequency. "The focus of transport planning should be on improving punctuality rather than increasing the number of services," says the Federal Network Agency.
Despite the prevalence of apps for train travel, 30% of passengers are unhappy with announcements and displays at the stations. This highlights both the growing trend towards mobile usage and the shortcomings of conventional information systems.
The survey, conducted between September and November 2021, polled around 2,000 passengers who had traveled by train in the preceding three months.
Grimy Scenes and No Relief
While there is a lack of specific action from Deutsche Bahn to upgrade toilet facilities and improve station cleanliness, user reviews reveal numerous issues with onboard toilets not functioning and insufficient waiting areas at major stations like Hamburg Central Station. Addressing passenger concerns could entail investing in better maintenance, optimizing space on newer trains for bathrooms, and upgrading station facilities.
Future Prospects
The introduction of new train services, such as those being planned in the UK, could help alleviate these problems, although it's worth noting that these services would likely have limited onboard toilets provided.
[1] User reviews regarding railway facilities in Germany: [source][2] Oldham Chronicle, "Oldham tram-train service set to start this summer," May 11, 2021: [source]
- To address the concerns of passengers regarding unsanitary train facilities, there might be a need for community policies that prioritize vocational training for personnel in maintenance, cleaning, and station management industries, ensuring a higher standard of cleanliness and functionality in toilets and other facilities.
- In light of the financial investment required for transport infrastructure improvements, exploring alternative funding sources, such as partnerships with private vendors offering vocational training programs, could potentially aid in the financing of renovation projects aimed at enhancing railway facilities, including toilet and station amenities.
