Leipzig-Berlin train not existing

I’m booked on ICE2550 today, from Leipzig (09.16) to Berlin. However I turned up at the station to find out it does not exist. Apparently due to planned engineering works trains are diverted from Leipzig. It amazes me how I put hours of planning into my trips and then something like this happens! Why I didn’t check this before I don’t know. I’m now going to Halle to get a train from there, as advised by the DB staff member at Leipzig. Though in my confusion I forgot to ask him if my ticket would be valid.

Will my Super Sparpries ticket be valid on a different ICE train from Halle to Berlin? It seems there is no ICE2550 even diverted so not sure how this works. I will of course try and ask someone at Halle but thought I’d ask this excellent forum in case I’m not able to. Thanks!

Yes, if delayed/disrupted you are free to take a reasonable alternative. On DB this happens alot so they are well used to it.

You can ignore or delete my above message! It was sent in a bit of a panic.

DB did actually send me an email this morning which I failed to notice, advising me about this and that I could use any train to get to Berlin. So, I hastily caught the S5X (which I unnecessarily bought a ticket for), and as I was arriving the ICE to Berlin was arriving. Amazingly it was still there after I rushed to the platform (maybe waiting for passengers off the S5X). The train conductor has just checked my ticket, and didn’t seem aware of this issue, but was happy with my explanation. I’ll be arriving in Berlin just 30 mins later than expected, which isn’t bad considering I didn’t even realise this issue until 9.10!

I must say, train staff from the little one-car diesels to the ICE trains have been really polite, friendly and helpful. Although I should perhaps stop asking them (in German) if they speak English as they almost seem offended that I think they wouldn’t be able to!

You never need to buy extra tickets in such a case. If DB cancels your train, then congratulations with your now flexible ticket.

This happens a lot. Unlike in the UK where tickets aren't sold until the STP timetable is confirmed, in Germany engineering work isn't confirmed until much closer to the time, and you'll find your train diverted, such that it doesn't call at the station you're intending to board at.

and unlike the UK your Advance becomes an Anytime and any reasonable route from that point onwards, and unlike the UK if you join the queue at the infopoint with 100 other disrupted people your reservations will be rebooked if possible. Probably the least fuss of any country.

Thanks for the replies. I did forget how straightforward it is in Germany when things go wrong, in terms of ticketing. I should have remembered last time when there was disruption as a similar thing happened.
I guess I’m just too used to travelling in the UK!

Krokodil said:

This happens a lot. Unlike in the UK where tickets aren't sold until the STP timetable is confirmed, in Germany engineering work isn't confirmed until much closer to the time, and you'll find your train diverted, such that it doesn't call at the station you're intending to board at.

Click to expand...

I did have a similar situation in the UK. Bought an advance London to Harwich Int. The stated train did not show on the departure board. Staff said that connection does not exist, take the next train.

duesselmartin said:

I did have a similar situation in the UK. Bought an advance London to Harwich Int. The stated train did not show on the departure board. Staff said that connection does not exist, take the next train.

Click to expand...

That's how it should be handled. The UK did convert EU Regulation 1371/2007 into UK law so there must be a simple mechanism to fulfill article 16 that covers this, especially since there aren't compulsory reservations.

Sad to say most, if not all, re-legislation contained 'Henry VIII' clauses so that a minister can change the act itself (not just create regulations) through secondary legislation without parliamentary scrutiny. So if anything becomes particularly onerous for UK operators, relief from the legislation is a few paragraphs of typing away.

nwales58 said:

Sad to say most, if not all, re-legislation contained 'Henry VIII' clauses so that a minister can change the act itself (not just create regulations) through secondary legislation without parliamentary scrutiny. So if anything becomes particularly onerous for UK operators, relief from the legislation is a few paragraphs of typing away.

Click to expand...

EU Regulation 1371/2007 has been in force since December 2009, so it's not like they suddenly discover it. All parties are fully aware of its implications. Of course they can probably still cancel it if they like but there wouldn't be any new information to base that on.