I Could Cry With Anger
- COLOGNE, Germany – A recent train journey has ignited debate over Deutsche Bahn's (DB) policies regarding family seating, after a mother of three detailed a distressing experience on...
- Giti Khansay, a lawyer and mother, took to LinkedIn on May 11 to express her frustration with Deutsche Bahn after a challenging trip from Cologne to Munich.
- According to Khansay, the train was severely delayed, forcing her and her children onto an already packed train.
Mother’s Frustration Highlights Deutsche bahn Family Area Concerns
Table of Contents
- Mother’s Frustration Highlights Deutsche bahn Family Area Concerns
- mother’s Frustration Highlights Deutsche Bahn Family Area Concerns: A Q&A
- What sparked the recent debate about deutsche Bahn’s family seating policies?
- Who is Giti Khansay, and what happened on her train journey?
- What did Khansay say about the experience?
- What is the Deutsche Bahn’s official stance on family seating?
- Are seats in the family area reserved?
- What are some of the main concerns raised by Khansay and others?
- what suggestions have been made to improve the situation?
- What are the different viewpoints on the family seating issue?
- How does Khansay view the family areas on Deutsche Bahn trains?
- Why is the family area important, according to Khansay?
- Summary of Key Issues and Recommendations
- What does the future hold for Deutsche Bahn’s family seating policies?
May 17, 2025
COLOGNE, Germany – A recent train journey has ignited debate over Deutsche Bahn‘s (DB) policies regarding family seating, after a mother of three detailed a distressing experience on a crowded ICE train.
Giti Khansay, a lawyer and mother, took to LinkedIn on May 11 to express her frustration with Deutsche Bahn after a challenging trip from Cologne to Munich. khansay, who regularly travels with her three children, ages three, five, and seven, said this particular journey exposed what she believes is a systemic failure by DB to accommodate families.
Overcrowding and Lack of assistance
According to Khansay, the train was severely delayed, forcing her and her children onto an already packed train. She stated that even the designated family area was filled with passengers, including those without children, leaving her family without seats for hours. Her daughter eventually broke down in tears due to exhaustion.
When Khansay requested assistance from a DB employee, she was allegedly told that the seats in the family area were not reserved and available to anyone. Khansay claims the employee’s tone was dismissive and unhelpful.She told BuzzFeed News Deutschland that the experience left her feeling unfairly treated, suggesting her “migration background played a role.”
Deutsche bahn Responds
Deutsche Bahn, when contacted, acknowledged the incident and clarified the rules regarding the family area. A spokeswoman stated that while the family area is intended to provide a space for families to sit together, it does not exclude passengers without children. Only the toddler area has stricter rules. Reservations are recommended, even in the family area.
The DB spokeswoman added that train staff are generally encouraged to assist families in finding seating and that the company would address the incident with the employee involved. “We take the mother’s descriptions seriously and will take them as an possibility to talk to the employee,” she said.
Debate over Family Seating Policies
Khansay’s LinkedIn post sparked a debate about the value Deutsche Bahn places on families. Some commenters suggested Khansay should have reserved seats, while others argued that families should be guaranteed seating in the designated area, especially with flexible tickets.
khansay suggests DB should implement a reservation system or automatic allocation of free seats in family areas. She argues that family areas should be considered a necessity, not a luxury, especially given the speed at which trains travel. “For me, the family area is a security room, not a comfort feature. At 300 km/h,toddlers need firm hold and parents for the stroller,” she said.
Khansay believes Deutsche Bahn needs to clarify whether family areas are a genuine service or merely a superficial gesture. “The DB has to decide: Are family areas service or appearance? As long as this is unclear, parents – and especially children – will continue to be the victims,” she stated.
mother’s Frustration Highlights Deutsche Bahn Family Area Concerns: A Q&A
What sparked the recent debate about deutsche Bahn’s family seating policies?
A recent train journey detailed by giti Khansay, a mother of three, ignited the debate. She shared her frustrating experience on a crowded ICE train, highlighting concerns about Deutsche bahn’s (DB) ability to accommodate families.
Who is Giti Khansay, and what happened on her train journey?
Giti khansay is a lawyer and mother who regularly travels with her three children, ages three, five, and seven. On a trip from Cologne to Munich, Khansay experienced a severely delayed and overcrowded train. She and her children were unable to find seats,even in the designated family area,which was already full. Her daughter became upset, and when Khansay sought assistance from a DB employee, she allegedly received dismissive and unhelpful responses. Khansay expressed her frustration on LinkedIn, which then lead to the current debate.
What did Khansay say about the experience?
Khansay expressed meaningful frustration with the Deutsche Bahn. She said that DB’s policies are a “systemic failure” to accommodate families. She felt the employee’s response was dismissive and that she was unfairly treated, possibly due to her “migration background.” She questioned whether family areas are a genuine service or just a superficial gesture by deutsche Bahn.
What is the Deutsche Bahn’s official stance on family seating?
Deutsche bahn acknowledged the incident and clarified its rules regarding family areas. A spokeswoman stated that while the family area is designed for families,it isn’t exclusive to them. passengers without children are also permitted to use the area. Reservations are recommended, even in the family area, and train staff are typically encouraged to assist families in finding seating. DB also added that they would discuss the incident with the employee involved.
Are seats in the family area reserved?
According to the Deutsche bahn, seats in the family area are not automatically reserved. Though, reservations are recommended.
What are some of the main concerns raised by Khansay and others?
Khansay’s experience brought several concerns to the forefront:
overcrowding: The train was severely crowded, making it difficult for families to find seating.
Lack of Assistance: Khansay felt the DB employee was unhelpful and dismissive.
Availability of Family Areas: The family area was already occupied by othre passengers, leaving families without seats.
Safety Concerns: Khansay believes family areas are necessary for safety, especially given the high speeds of trains.
Policy Clarity: Khansay questions whether the family area is a genuine service or merely a superficial gesture.
what suggestions have been made to improve the situation?
Khansay suggested that DB should implement a better reservation system, or even allocate free seats, specifically in the family areas. Others suggested families should be guaranteed seating in the family area, especially with flexible tickets.
What are the different viewpoints on the family seating issue?
The debate highlights various opinions:
Reservation Proponents: Some commenters suggest that Khansay should have reserved seats in the first place.
Guaranteed Seating Advocates: Others believe families should be guaranteed a seat in the designated family area, regardless of reservations.
DB Policy Critics: Those who agree with Khansay’s perspective believe DB’s current policies fail to adequately support families.
How does Khansay view the family areas on Deutsche Bahn trains?
For Khansay, the family area provides a space and a sense of security while traveling on DB trains. She views it as essential. She stated, “For me, the family area is a security room, not a comfort feature.”
Why is the family area important, according to Khansay?
Khansay states that family areas should be more than just a consideration. With the speed at which trains travel, she believes family areas help to guarantee the safety and well-being of families, especially when parents or guardians need to safely manage toddlers, strollers, and other requirements of traveling with young children safely.
Summary of Key Issues and Recommendations
| Issue | Description | Proposed Solutions/Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Overcrowding | trains, including family areas, are frequently enough overcrowded. | More effective reservation system, or guaranteed seating for families. |
| Lack of Assistance | passengers may experience dismissive or unhelpful responses from DB employees. | Improved employee training and clear guidelines for assisting families, to find seating. |
| Family Area Accessibility | Family areas are not always available to families. | Clarification of family area policies and enforcement of priority seating for families. |
| safety Concerns | The family area is vital for the safety of small children when trains are traveling at 300 km/h. | Designation of family areas for security, and not just comfort. |
| Policy Clarity | The role and purpose of family areas are not clear. | DB to clarify whether family areas are a genuine service and ensure it prioritizes the needs of families. |
What does the future hold for Deutsche Bahn’s family seating policies?
It remains to be seen if, and how, deutsche Bahn will respond to the concerns raised. The company has said it will address the situation with the employee involved. The broader discussion highlights the need for DB to evaluate how well its current policies meet the needs of families and to determine if any changes are necessary.