Train delays in NRW: New rules for reimbursement provide excitement!

Train delays in NRW: New rules for reimbursement provide excitement!

passengers in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) have had some important changes in relation to their rights in the event of train failures and great delays since January 1, 2025. The new regulations on the mobility guarantee ensure relief and criticism from the public. A central element is the deletion of reimbursement for driving services such as Uber.

This decision was made because invoices by "taxi -like service providers" are perceived as not sufficiently forgery. In addition, the dynamic pricing of such services is viewed as little transparent. In social media, numerous users say that the removal of the reimbursement for these driving services could lead to higher costs for taxi transport. However, comparison data show that regular taxis have often been cheaper in the past two years.

mobility guarantee and passenger rights

The mobility guarantee enables passengers in NRW to use alternative means of transport when delayed at least 20 minutes and to receive the costs. This applies to all transport companies within the estate area of ​​North Rhine -Westphalia. Passengers can therefore take a long-distance train (a valid ticket is required), use taxis or use sharing offers.

When reimbursement, it should be noted that the amount of repayment depends on the time and distance. During the day, i.e. between 5 a.m. and 7.59 p.m., passengers can get up to 30 euros reimbursed, while at night, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., it is up to 60 euros. For long -distance trains, the total costs are reimbursable if the delay or the train failure is at least 20 minutes.

reimbursement procedure and conditions

The application for reimbursement must be submitted to the respective transport company within 14 days of the trip. Important information that must be noted on the receipt are the name, the date, the time and the route of the trip. Passengers must first in advance and can submit applications to both digitally and in the service centers of the transport companies.

There are clear exclusion criteria: the mobility guarantee does not apply to delays that occur while driving or for missed connections. The overcrowding of transport or failures due to strikes, storms or forces of nature also do not make reimbursement possible.

These mobility guarantee regulations offer some advantages, but are also viewed critically, since the changes could possibly lead to higher costs for passengers. Interested parties can find more information on this topic on the website of the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Westfalenatarif and mobil.nrw .