Travelogue: Dresden-Hamburg. And back? [Update] With the end of school holidays in the Saxons for many, the summer is over. A short trip report on the train Dresden - Hamburg - Dresden again shows the deficiencies in the system path.
The trip was booked many weeks ago, the connection to be 100% secure. Were due to the direct service hours are not posted, even though it would have been off all connection problems.
So the journey began later and an ICE connection with double switch and a longer travel time has been posted. The change worked well in Leipzig, the transfer time is there anyway always plentiful. However, the train in reverse order stood on the platform.
In Berlin, the train conductor would act positively to the tighter connection and kept free of the door. The lift is necessary, however, was far and wide to be seen. She went on a search and telephoned very hard. A few curses later, then the "horizon" a Red Riding Hood to see with elevator - and had to pace off the shot because the entire car sequence platform. The rapid pace of the connecting train could be achieved, and Hamburg was no longer far.
could U-and S-Bahn will be tested extensively in Hamburg - without advance notice and without exception, friendly staff. Even late at night after 23 clock attentive and courteous assistance was in the search for an alternative route due to a defective elevator. Exemplary!
The days in Hamburg were much too soon and so the return trip was already back on the plan. Was booked Hamburg-Berlin with ICE, then by RE (Regional Express) and RB (Regional Bahn) on Elsterwerda. Due to some problems (and an unscheduled stop in Berlin-Spandau) drove in the ICE train station Berlin finally a half hour late one (14:52 scheduled arrival clock). The connection was so close, but an account and feasible. After all, the priority should be to wait for the ICE RE.
When the train left already? we saw in the elevator then incredulously our connecting train drove off - without us! The service employee who was to accompany us, was as stunned as we are. However, it is at the station apparently started to use of untrained and responsible exempt support staff, because the lady did not have a service telephone or a key to the lifting device. The responsible (official) employee of the Mobility Services smiled friendly but clueless. She assured that does not guarantee there are a Zugpriorität and trains would not wait on other connections would be general.
She phoned around now for several minutes and eventually sent us back on the same platform from which we had just come. There should the EC (Euro City) depart at 16:36 clock, which had arrived just minutes after our scheduled connection in Dresden. ring as Dresdner Type EC for immediate alarm bells, because these trains usually have absolutely no wheelchair space! The Map of the railway staff had the car 259 but with a wheelchair symbol.
came the train. We had to stay. Because of course this was no EC wheelchair space. The service staff was so easily picked out only the next best train to Dresden, without further consideration, whether there is a corresponding space available and these are then also free!
From this moment, we have declared our connection then a top priority. The head of customer management took care of now is that the ICE-related clock 16:57 on Leipzig could be used. Was explained us in this context that the Zugpriorität would work as follows: an ICE would wait for an RE, but not the other way around. Aha! Then we have really lucky that no regional trains are subject to a surcharge ...
In Dresden, the ICE is run-time clock at 20:14 - 1.5 hours after our arrival. Overall, a voyage of more than 7 hours, which would have taken a direct connection only abundant 4 hours. The toilet in the train can not be used by anyone, was not even discussed it.
Conclusion The dismissed by Mrs. Engel, the disability officer of Deutsche Bahn, as an individual case Events shall take place again and again every day. An internal company communications - for example from station to vehicle - does not occur. Background information such as vehicle impact or a wheelchair space, which one assumes the customer, are its own employees unknown. Training meanwhile seem no longer take place. These are not isolated cases, but to clear deficiencies in organization and data management!
It is very unfortunate that in this way always nice holidays are ruined! It has been increasingly under the impression that the system is designed to carry as little mobility-impaired customers, as possible ... But
Suffice it to reveal: the next ride to come.
Update:
Meanwhile, the description of the trip to DB dialogue in Berlin has been submitted. Presumably the process will take some weeks. If there is an answer, they appear to be an appropriate place for the blog ...
