No industry has been as badly shaken by the corona crisis as those that make money with travel. Accordingly, not only airlines have to bake small rolls, but also train operators. And here not only Deutsche Bahn, which is still doing relatively well thanks to billions in aid from the German state, but also Flixtrain, for example. But now there is finally good news from the rail competitor.
Flixtrain back on the rails
Because what has already become apparent in the past few days is now certainty: Flixtrain is coming back after violent CoVID-19 turbulence. This was announced by FlixMobility GmbH. The parent company behind Flixtrain, which is also responsible for Flixbus and the restart there. With a new ticket campaign at Aldi, where Flixtrain tickets are now available at a special price, one could already anticipate such a step.
So now the comeback. And that is quite surprising. Because since the trains came to a standstill, the time has obviously been used to extensively modernize the rolling stock that Flixtrain will use in the future. New paintwork, new seats – renovated vehicle material everywhere you look. Instead of stuffy compartment cars, you will be traveling in airy open-plan cars in the future. And there are also modernized toilet facilities.
In short: Flixtrain finally presents itself as if one had arrived in the present. Sockets at the seat, free WiFi and on-board entertainment included. The passenger should obviously no longer get the feeling of getting on rancid, unclean and not very modern trains.
When will the Flixtrain start running again?
New trips with the green trains are planned from July 23rd. As a first step, ten trips a week between Berlin and Cologne are planned. Then you can also get on in Düsseldorf, Duisburg, Essen, Dortmund, Bielefeld and Hanover. At first, Bielefeld can only be approached in the direction of Berlin. Tickets are available from 4.99 euros each way – also via the Flixbus homepage.
More connections? Yes, they are firmly planned. But there is still nothing to be said about this. “We are doing our best to start more and more connections in the next few weeks,” says the Flixtrain homepage. And on its Facebook page, the provider promises: “More connections will follow soon!” So it is still unclear when the DB alternative, for example, will travel again between Cologne and Hamburg, Berlin and Leipzig or from Berlin via Frankfurt to Stuttgart.
Mask compulsory even on green trains
Of course, in times of the coronavirus, which has not yet disappeared, Flixtrain also has a hygiene concept. In addition to cleaning before, after and during each journey, it also provides for contactless check-in and free seat reservations. As in other means of transport, you must wear a face-to-face mask while driving on the Flixtrain (mask required).
