Sven S. fights: train journey to Erfurt becomes a travel altitude!

Sven S. fights: train journey to Erfurt becomes a travel altitude!

A look at the challenges for wheelchair users in German rail traffic becomes clear at the case of Sven S. from Erfurt. The 29-year-old wheelchair user planned a simple journey from Prague via Dresden to Erfurt, which was supposed to take about six hours, but expanded to over 24 hours. Delays and, above all, the lack of support for travelers restricted mobility made the trip a game of patience. So Sven arrived in Dresden with a delay of 100 minutes and was confronted with the problem that after 10:30 p.m. there was no longer any help available to operate the lifting platform at the train station, reports Thuringia24 .

Thanks to the service staff, Sven could be mastered reasonably well. Nevertheless, he realized that the system did not work optimally. He vividly appealed: "Accessibility must not be a luxury". A spokesman for the Deutsche Bahn regretted the poor experiences of the passenger, but also pointed out the efforts of the train to provide support for travelers with mobility restrictions.

mobility service for all

Deutsche Bahn has set up a mobility service center (MSZ) that offers support especially for people limited. Travelers can request help up to 20 hours before departure, and a period of 24 hours applies to international trips. In 2024, more than 828,000 assistance was provided by the staff in train stations and trains, as the Deutsche Bahn . If you need help, you can contact MSZ on 030/652-12-888 or by email at msz@deutschebahn.com

The opening times are from Monday to Friday between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Information on the accessibility of train stations and minimum circumstances is also available. At Bahnhof.de, travelers can also check whether a change of change is offered at the respective train station.

accessibility in society

Mobility is a basic need that has a decisive influence on the daily life of people, as the Federal Center for Political Education . The UN Convention on the Rights of Disabilities, which Germany has ratified since 2009, demands comprehensive access to all areas of life, including local public transport. Article 9 of the convention demands that the physical access to transport means must be guaranteed.

It is undeniable that accessibility is a prerequisite for social participation. This is often a challenge in our everyday life because many people live with different restrictions. You not only need structural barriers that have to be dismantled, but also a sensitized society that recognizes the value of inclusive mobility.

In order to improve the mobility of people with disabilities, including transport policy and mobility education are required. This includes the promotion of mobility-specific skills so that people can take part in traffic more safely. This is the only way we can make sure that nobody is excluded and every access to public transport.