Extreme weather in Germany, Poland, Austria, Czechia - Travel Disruptions Expected - and cancelled nightjet question

[Krokodil]

This morning I had emails about both my plan B outward trip and my return trip on 09/10 (to Brussels). Nothing directly relevant to those trains, just the generic message about disruption to day trains. No email about the supposedly reinstated plan A outward train, funnily enough.

 

[43096]

Unfortunately, most train operators do not regard replacement buses as a reason for not selling tickets, or allowing rebooking, especially when the delay is minimal or nil as in this case.

(CD buses are always IME very well organised, but not necessarily low-floor. If you have difficulty using buses I would contact CD again.)

Incidentally I am surprised the information about the bus wasn't shown when you booked yesterday, though in general mainland European railways don't always flag these up well in advance, and CD are particularly bad at this.

If it was booked yesterday after my post above, then I suspect it was already planned as a bus replacement for part of that journey. When I looked at the ÖBB website it was definitely showing that before I posted what I did.

 

[TravellingPhil]

The booking system has finally updated to confirm that NJ40425 is cancelled on the date we’re booked. (Next Tuesday). So why was I sent the email to say it was running again when it was quite obvious it wouldn’t be?

 

[trainresident]

Please mention travel date and the entire journey you booked on this ticket, so people can advise.
In general, if you'd show up at the original departure time and would then have a delay of at least 1 hour at your destination, then you're not obliged anymore to stick to the booked train, or you can get a full refund and not travel.

Thank you for that information.

The ticket is for Oct 3rd at 11:54, here is all the info:

• 2x First Minute Europe ticket, 2nd class, 1 person, Obligatory train EC 332 in the Linz Hbf – Praha hl.n. segment
• 
  Validity: from 00:00 on 3.10.2024 until 24:00 on 4.10.2024
• 
  Can only be used on a particular train
• 
  Obligatory train EC 332 in the segment Linz Hbf – Praha hl.n. and other obligatory foreign trains per the searched connection
• 
  Non-transferable – linked to a person
• 
  It is not possible to purchase an upgrade to 1st class
• 
  It is not possible to purchase an upgrade for a circuitous journey or for travel beyond the original destination station
• 
  This ticket represent separate contract of carriage
• 
  The journey must commence on the first day of the ticket’s term of validity
• 
  Can be returned no later than by 24:00 (midnight) on 2.10.2024 for a fee of EUR 3 for each person
• 
  It is possible to interrupt the journey at any time except for the obligatory train

Unfortunately, most train operators do not regard replacement buses as a reason for not selling tickets, or allowing rebooking, especially when the delay is minimal or nil as in this case.

(CD buses are always IME very well organised, but not necessarily low-floor. If you have difficulty using buses I would contact CD again.)

Incidentally I am surprised the information about the bus wasn't shown when you booked yesterday, though in general mainland European railways don't always flag these up well in advance, and CD are particularly bad at this.

I must booked minutes or at most hours before they added the info. When I booked all was clear, now it shows the train I booked and the next days train affected. I haven't checked today, maybe it changed again! =)

The booking system has finally updated to confirm that NJ40425 is cancelled on the date we’re booked. (Next Tuesday). So why was I sent the email to say it was running again when it was quite obvious it wouldn’t be?

My booking still shows as ok on the site with the standard message warning of general issues which hasn't changed for several days, but I received official cancellation this morning, I especially enjoy how they tell me to call them if I need to cancel or change the ticket, since they already cancelled it and they won't change the ticket if you ask them LOL!:

Dear passenger,

please note the following change or information concerning your scheduled journey.

Information update for your journey on 01.10.2024​

---

Salzburg Hbf > Krakow Glowny​

Sorry, but this train has been cancelled.​

Please check the current timetable to reschedule your journey to the next available train or transport.

---

Detailed information about your journey​

Interrupted service: EN 406 from Salzburg Hbf (01.10.2024, 20:30) to Krakow Glowny

General message: EN 406: Update 16 (26.09.2024 07:27) repair work after the flood, Cancellation EN 406


If you need to cancel or change your ticket, please contact Customer Service on +43 5 1717 ext. 9.

We apologise for any inconveniences caused.

We wish you a pleasant journey,
Your ÖBB​

If it was booked yesterday after my post above, then I suspect it was already planned as a bus replacement for part of that journey. When I looked at the ÖBB website it was definitely showing that before I posted what I did.

I wouldn't book with OBB again unless I had no choice, but I still try to look on all websites to gather information, but the OBB site doesn't load often for me anymore. Saying site cannot be found. So I just went off the CD site which wasn't showing the bus. The CD site is great for functionality, but apparently doesn't have information updated in a timely manner.

Does anyone have any experience taking bus replacement service on this line? Will they guide us to the bus and give us information that we can follow? When I've had similar things happen in Germany we were on our own and no one would help so it took us hours to figure out how to get where we needed to go.

The CD site has this disclaimer and no instructions and this disclaimer is concerning:

* In the case of rail replacement bus service, please ask the conductor about the possibility of boarding or disembarking at this station. The information provided here about bus stops is tentative in character.

I don't see any instructions on the OBB site either.

 

[43096]

I wouldn't book with OBB again unless I had no choice, but I still try to look on all websites to gather information, but the OBB site doesn't load often for me anymore. Saying site cannot be found. So I just went off the CD site which wasn't showing the bus. The CD site is great for functionality, but apparently doesn't have information updated in a timely manner.

I am really struggling to believe that the change was in ÖBB's timetable database and not in CD's system, particularly as the bus element is in Czech.

Does anyone have any experience taking bus replacement service on this line? Will they guide us to the bus and give us information that we can follow? When I've had similar things happen in Germany we were on our own and no one would help so it took us hours to figure out how to get where we needed to go.

I've not done a bus replacement on that line, but have on the nearby České Velenice to České Budějovice line. It was well organised, bus from outside the front of the station to outside front of the station where we swapped back to a train. Train waiting, walk onto the platform and straight onto the train. Very slick.

 

[33056]

blocked to UK IP addresses as another brexit benefit i believe.

Apparently temporarily blocked after an attempted "hack" from a UK IP address. The ÖBB tickets app did stop working on my phone for a time but now seems to be functioning normally though I have not tried to buy anything yet.

 

[trainresident]

I am really struggling to believe that the change was in ÖBB's timetable database and not in CD's system, particularly as the bus element is in Czech.

I've not done a bus replacement on that line, but have on the nearby České Velenice to České Budějovice line. It was well organised, bus from outside the front of the station to outside front of the station where we swapped back to a train. Train waiting, walk onto the platform and straight onto the train. Very slick.

Thanks for that info. I've seen that is peoples experience on various websites, but it means more to me to have you verify that.

 

[rvdborgt]

Thank you for that information.

The ticket is for Oct 3rd at 11:54, here is all the info:

• 2x First Minute Europe ticket, 2nd class, 1 person, Obligatory train EC 332 in the Linz Hbf – Praha hl.n. segment

OK, I see. The timetable in fact hasn't changed and there's a replacement bus for half an hour. In that case, you can't choose another train.
The main purpose of the bus is to connect with the train on both sides, so you shouldn't be worried. I also expect bus and train to wait for each other.

My booking still shows as ok on the site with the standard message warning of general issues which hasn't changed for several days, but I received official cancellation this morning, I especially enjoy how they tell me to call them if I need to cancel or change the ticket, since they already cancelled it and they won't change the ticket if you ask them LOL!:

Please note that your ticket has not been cancelled. They legally can't do that. They've cancelled the train, which is not the same thing, so they're entirely correct to ask you to contact them if you'd like to change your ticket to another train, or to cancel it.

 

[trainresident]

OK, I see. The timetable in fact hasn't changed and there's a replacement bus for half an hour. In that case, you can't choose another train.
The main purpose of the bus is to connect with the train on both sides, so you shouldn't be worried. I also expect bus and train to wait for each other.

Please note that your ticket has not been cancelled. They legally can't do that. They've cancelled the train, which is not the same thing, so they're entirely correct to ask you to contact them if you'd like to change your ticket to another train, or to cancel it.

Thank you for helping me better understand. I feel better about it now.

What I was wondering with OBBs email, is why they didn't direct you to the online form if you wanted to cancel vs having to call them.

 

[30907]

Thanks for that info. I've seen that is peoples experience on various websites, but it means more to me to have you verify that.

I've done plenty of RRBs in Czechia where they routinely do engineering work midweek daytimes. Always well organised, and minimal delays (because the trains aren't exactly fast!)

The only thing to note is that the train on the Austrian side might be a substitute with no Bistro car - but there again, it might be the normal stock "trapped" on the Austrian side!

 

[trainresident]

I've done plenty of RRBs in Czechia where they routinely do engineering work midweek daytimes. Always well organised, and minimal delays (because the trains aren't exactly fast!)

The only thing to note is that the train on the Austrian side might be a substitute with no Bistro car - but there again, it might be the normal stock "trapped" on the Austrian side!

That's good to know, thank you!

 

[TravellingPhil]

Contacted OBB who confirmed the Brussels Nightjet is cancelled until the 9th October. Sent them screenshots of the confusing emails sent out. They said they would raise this with their IT department.

At least I know 100% what’s going on now. I know I can claim hotel costs for the night of my cancelled train.I wonder if this has to be a hotel in Brussels or if I move on and claim for a hotel elsewhere?

 

[trainresident]

Contacted OBB who confirmed the Brussels Nightjet is cancelled until the 9th October. Sent them screenshots of the confusing emails sent out. They said they would raise this with their IT department.

At least I know 100% what’s going on now. I know I can claim hotel costs for the night of my cancelled train.I wonder if this has to be a hotel in Brussels or if I move on and claim for a hotel elsewhere?

It's never ending how poor the IT/customer support systems are configured and maintained now. I'm trying to check in for our flight with Austrian Airlines and it changes our passport dates to one day earlier. I've called local support, they couldn't do anything and said I had to call long distance to Austria. Called them, they also said can't do anything just check in at the airport. Used their chat, was told this is normal and just check in at the airport.

I hope the trip goes your way and you enjoy yourselves.

 

[duesselmartin]

Crazy. Had a similar situation at Heathrow. System changed the number 0 of my German passport to an O. Caused a bit of confusion but solved in minutes.

 

[rvdborgt]

We've hit the grand slam of anxiety with our trip. It was supposed to start off on Sep 30 with a HSL trip from Vienna Airport to Salzburg. Was going to take the best option after arrival on our flight from Canada. It looks like we can still make that trip, it will just be slower. So no worries.

Then we are supposed to go on a night train from Salzburg to Krakow on Oct 1st EN406 and then a night train from Krakow to Prague on EN407 a day later.

They're starting up operation again from 29/9:

Utrudnienia w ruchu spowodowane warunkami atmosferycznymi w Polsce, Czechach i Austrii

Strona internetowa przewoźnika kolejowego PKP Intercity S.A. należącego do grupy PKP, obsługującego kolejowe dalekobieżne przewozy pasażerskie: pośpieszne (Twoje Linie Kolejowe i InterCity) oraz ekspresowe (Express InterCity i Express InterCity Premium).

www.intercity.pl

However, not for all trains yet and the carriages 406/407 from/to Munich only seem to run to/from Bohumín for now, which is in the middle of the night.

 

[trainresident]

They're starting up operation again from 29/9:

Utrudnienia w ruchu spowodowane warunkami atmosferycznymi w Polsce, Czechach i Austrii

Strona internetowa przewoźnika kolejowego PKP Intercity S.A. należącego do grupy PKP, obsługującego kolejowe dalekobieżne przewozy pasażerskie: pośpieszne (Twoje Linie Kolejowe i InterCity) oraz ekspresowe (Express InterCity i Express InterCity Premium).

www.intercity.pl

However, not for all trains yet and the carriages 406/407 from/to Munich only seem to run to/from Bohumín for now, which is in the middle of the night.

Thank you for thinking of me and for posting that, but our train to Krakow was cancelled so it would actually be better for us if the train was cancelled, but I wouldn't wish that on the other people. So we can't go to Poland again. Tried in 2020 and this year, hopefully we'll have a chance to try to go again.

 

[TravellingPhil]

We've changed our trip around so we're going to end up in Vienna rather than start there after our Brussels Nightjet was cancelled for Tuesday. Just booked us on the Nightjet from Vienna to Amsterdam on the 12th Oct. I know the Brussels route could be running again by then but didn't want to risk it. Also an excuse to stay in a funky looking hotel in Zaandam that I've wanted to visit for a while!

Hopefully we won't run into problems with this one. And I'm absoutely fine if it runs late as we don't plan to do anything on the day we arrive.

 

[Krokodil]

More emails: one yesterday telling me that 40425 is again cancelled on 05/10; then two today, one telling me that 40425 has changed (without telling me what the change is or how it would affect me), and another identical one about 40468 on 09/10. I'd better assume that one is cancelled too, I suppose and book on 40490.

 

[trainresident]

We've changed our trip around so we're going to end up in Vienna rather than start there after our Brussels Nightjet was cancelled for Tuesday. Just booked us on the Nightjet from Vienna to Amsterdam on the 12th Oct. I know the Brussels route could be running again by then but didn't want to risk it. Also an excuse to stay in a funky looking hotel in Zaandam that I've wanted to visit for a while!

Hopefully we won't run into problems with this one. And I'm absoutely fine if it runs late as we don't plan to do anything on the day we arrive.

We'll see you there, arriving on the 11th! lol. So keep a seat warm for us.

Have fun.

 

[30907]

Thank you for thinking of me and for posting that, but our train to Krakow was cancelled so it would actually be better for us if the train was cancelled, but I wouldn't wish that on the other people. So we can't go to Poland again. Tried in 2020 and this year, hopefully we'll have a chance to try to go again.

Though you are going to Prague, and a daytime train thence to Krakow resumes from tomorrow (and one from Vienna) - but not the sleeper.

 

[trainresident]

Though you are going to Prague, and a daytime train thence to Krakow resumes from tomorrow (and one from Vienna) - but not the sleeper.

True, but we can't do that without having to redo even more of our itinerary. We are coming from Canada so we have a complex itinerary over 2 weeks. I'm hoping we can do a trip just to Poland next year. Not sure if spring or fall would be better, but will start researching after we get through what is left of this trip.

Thank you again for everyone to being so helpful. It's a very pleasant place to talk on this forum.

 

[30907]

True, but we can't do that without having to redo even more of our itinerary. We are coming from Canada so we have a complex itinerary over 2 weeks. I'm hoping we can do a trip just to Poland next year. Not sure if spring or fall would be better, but will start researching after we get through what is left of this trip.

Thank you again for everyone to being so helpful. It's a very pleasant place to talk on this forum.

Enjoy your (much revised) journey.

I think you will find Linz to Prague enjoyable, even if you have to wait for your lunch/beer at CD prices . The contrast between the winding Linz-C Budejovice section (partly following the original horse-drawn railway) and the newly rebuilt sections thence to Prague is striking.

 

[nwales58]

Via Passau 4 ICEs now continue to/from Wels again in the afternoon. Saves an hour and crush on the REX local.

 

[Austriantrain]

Via Passau 4 ICEs now continue to/from Wels again in the afternoon. Saves an hour and crush on the REX local.

Some to Linz.

Be aware though that if you go on towards Vienna, the few trains running tend to be very full.

Rumor has it that the ICE will terminate in Linz until the HSL St Pölten - Wien reopens.

 

[43096]

Rumor has it that the ICE will terminate in Linz until the HSL St Pölten - Wien reopens.

That would seem sensible. Particularly given DB's regular (very) late running and it's ability to cause havoc on the old line as a result. It's also not great capacity wise as they are 7-car sets; I assume the Railjets that are running between Wien and Linz are pairs of sets?

 

[Krokodil]

Just looking at getting to Köln Messe/Deutz (Amsterdam sleeper calling there instead of Hbf presumably due to engineering work). I've transferred the booking to an earlier Eurostar to give more time, now arriving in Brussels at 13:08. ICE317 is showing as fully-booked in 2nd class so probably best to avoid that train. DB navigator is suggesting using a combination of IC and regional trains, changing at Liege, Herzogenrath and Dusseldorf. Will our original Nightjet ticket be accepted by both SNCB and DB services? I've got an SNCB FIP coupon but my friend does not. I don't have a DB one, having used up my allocation earlier this year.

 

[Austriantrain]

That would seem sensible. Particularly given DB's regular (very) late running and it's ability to cause havoc on the old line as a result. It's also not great capacity wise as they are 7-car sets; I assume the Railjets that are running between Wien and Linz are pairs of sets?

They weren’t in the first days, because those that run are the „slow“ RJ, which are always single. Predictably this could not work and they now run as double sets (unlike usually, sets are not at a premium right now) and have to skip stops closer to Salzburg because of short platforms.

It is rumored that the plan from 10th October will be 2 Westbahn, 1 rjx and 1 slower RJ an hour, with a journey time extended by 20-30 minutes compared to before. Basically similar to the normal timetable, which however has many fast regional express and additional peak trains (since the new line was built, the Westbahn has become a very important longer-distance commuter line).

Indeed, the ICE are such poor performers that no one wants them on a line that from 10th October will have half the capacity than normal (currently at one quarter of the usual 550 trains a day). And they are less important in the overall system.

 

[rvdborgt]

Just looking at getting to Köln Messe/Deutz (Amsterdam sleeper calling there instead of Hbf presumably due to engineering work). I've transferred the booking to an earlier Eurostar to give more time, now arriving in Brussels at 13:08. ICE317 is showing as fully-booked in 2nd class so probably best to avoid that train.

The BahnComfort seats (in carriage 26 for 2nd class, next to the buffet) are never booked and if you head for them directly, you're very likely find free seats.

DB navigator is suggesting using a combination of IC and regional trains, changing at Liege, Herzogenrath and Dusseldorf. Will our original Nightjet ticket be accepted by both SNCB and DB services? I've got an SNCB FIP coupon but my friend does not. I don't have a DB one, having used up my allocation earlier this year.

ÖBB and DB have an agreement about accepting passengers when a Nightjet has been cancelled. Not sure about NMBS/SNCB but I suspect staff will be understanding if you tell them that your night train has been cancelled.

 

[43096]

They weren’t in the first days, because those that run are the „slow“ RJ, which are always single. Predictably this could not work and they now run as double sets (unlike usually, sets are not at a premium right now) and have to skip stops closer to Salzburg because of short platforms.

It is rumored that the plan from 10th October will be 2 Westbahn, 1 rjx and 1 slower RJ an hour, with a journey time extended by 20-30 minutes compared to before. Basically similar to the normal timetable, which however has many fast regional express and additional peak trains (since the new line was built, the Westbahn has become a very important longer-distance commuter line).

Thanks for that - that would be an impressive service considering that the new line is completely out of action. I'm well aware of the impact of the new line - I've stayed in Linz before as it is cheaper than staying in Wien and the speed of the service means it is quick to get into Wien.

Indeed, the ICE are such poor performers that no one wants them on a line that from 10th October will have half the capacity than normal (currently at one quarter of the usual 550 trains a day). And they are less important in the overall system.

Not surprised by that!

 

[Krokodil]

ÖBB and DB have an agreement about accepting passengers when a Nightjet has been cancelled. Not sure about NMBS/SNCB but I suspect staff will be understanding if you tell them that your night train has been cancelled.

I've just spotted that RE18 is operated by Arriva Nederlands. RE4 is operated by National Express. That's got to complicate things. Is it worth chancing it or buying tickets for those and claiming them back or what?