FAQ

No, it is unfortunately not possible to reserve seats on our trains.

If a waldbahn service is cancelled, we apologize for the inconvenience. In this case, the ticket is not tied to a specific train and can be used without additional confirmation from the Customer Service Center on the next available local transport train on the same route.

If a delay of at least 20 minutes at your destination is expected, you have the following options:

• Continue your journey at the next opportunity on the same route or via an alternative route.
• Continue your journey at a later time if this shortens your arrival time.
• Use another local transport train that does not require a reservation.

If a delay of at least 60 minutes is expected due to a delay, train cancellation, or missed connection (excluding cases of force majeure), you may:

• Cancel your journey and receive a full refund of the ticket price.
• If part of the journey has already been completed, receive a refund for the unused portion of the ticket.

To assert your rights, you can use our online claim form.

With the many possible connections, priorities must be set. The timetable for the entire region of Bavaria is developed by the Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft (BEG), and it is not always possible to meet all passenger needs. If a planned connection is at risk, passengers can inform the onboard staff. The connection will then be noted, but a guarantee cannot be provided.

Since June 7, 2023, the new European regulation on rail passenger rights and obligations has been in force. This regulation establishes uniform passenger rights in Germany and across Europe. It guarantees travelers the same rights with all railway companies and applies to all trains, regardless of which railway undertaking operates them.

These passenger rights apply only to rail transport. This includes all railway services, from S-Bahn trains to ICE services. There is no entitlement to compensation for delays incurred when using subways, trams, buses, or taxi services. In such cases, please contact the respective transport provider. Additional rules may apply for journeys within transport associations and under state fare systems.

Passenger rights constitute final and exclusive claims in the event of train delays or cancellations. For example, arriving on time for an appointment is not part of the transport contract. All railway companies involved in providing the transport service are jointly liable for passenger rights claims relating to compensation, refunds, and reimbursement of expenses, provided that only one transport contract was concluded for the journey.

A comprehensive overview of passenger rights can be found at fahrgastrechte.info.
To assert your claims, you can use our online claim form.

Our newsletter provides timely information about timetable changes via email. It can be unsubscribed at any time if it is no longer needed.

Every passenger is required to hold a valid ticket. If someone is found traveling without a valid ticket, an increased fare is charged.

However, it can happen that a passenger unintentionally becomes a “fare evader.” In such cases, the amount may be reduced if it can be proven that the situation was not the passenger’s fault. The necessary documents can be submitted via our online form.

Please note that costs for single tickets already purchased cannot be refunded retrospectively.

To ensure better planning, we ask groups of 21 or more people to register via our online form at least 7 working days before the journey.
Groups of 6 or more people can also purchase a group ticket with a discount of up to 50% off the regular fare. This ticket is available only in advance at one of our service points.

Train delays can be caused by a wide range of factors, many of which are difficult to predict. These include both infrastructural and operational conditions that may influence a train’s timetable.

Build-up and reduction of delays: Every train schedule includes time buffers designed to absorb minor delays along the route. These buffer times allow a train to regain punctuality at later points in the journey. However, there are limits to how much delay can be recovered, and new disruptions may occur that further affect the timetable.
A train is not permitted to depart before its scheduled departure time, ensuring that passengers relying on the timetable can make their connections. Arrival times, however, may vary depending on how much of the buffer time can be used or whether new obstacles cause additional delays.

Example of how delays develop: A practical example shows how delays may evolve: A train departs in the Czech Republic with a 10‑minute buffer. During the journey, a train crossing in Česká Kubice results in additional delay. On the following section toward Schwandorf, the train is able to make up part of the delay thanks to sufficient buffer in the schedule. However, a locomotive change in Schwandorf — due to unscheduled shunting procedures — adds another 5 minutes. By the time the train reaches Regensburg, part of this delay has again been reduced.

Unpredictable influences: Delays may also occur when trains must operate behind slower services that stop at multiple stations. This creates a chain reaction in which subsequent trains are delayed as well.
A particular challenge is the unpredictability of certain disruptions. Not every delay can be precisely forecast by the operations control center. For example, a signal failure may occur unexpectedly and cause an immediate 15‑minute delay. Such disruptions cannot always be predicted to the minute, and the control center relies on information from onboard staff. Even when forecasts are made, they may not always match the actual progression of delays, leading to fluctuations between estimated and actual delay minutes.

Additional causes: Construction works and single‑track sections are further typical causes of delays. Construction sites often lead to operational restrictions, while single‑track segments mean that trains can only run in one direction at a time, slowing traffic and causing delays.

Interrelation of delays: The interaction between these various factors and the actual development of delays illustrates how complex the railway system is. Many elements interconnect, and delays often result from a chain of events in which minor disruptions can quickly accumulate, while the options for recovering lost time are limited. The unpredictability and multitude of potential influencing factors make precise forecasting challenging and increase the complexity of the work performed by operations control centers.

The Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft (BEG) specifies the number of vehicles allocated to each route network in its tendering documents. In addition, there are operational limits regarding the number of carriages that may be coupled to a train. As a rule, the alex operates with a maximum of seven carriages. Due to higher passenger volumes between Munich and Regensburg or Schwandorf, additional carriages are used on these sections, ordered by the BEG. The carriages uncoupled in Regensburg, for example, reinforce the next train heading toward Munich. This procedure not only offers operational advantages but also benefits the environment, as no additional locomotive is required, reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. At the same time, it increases comfort on these heavily frequented routes.

Reinforcement carriages are coupled and uncoupled in Regensburg or Schwandorf. This typically takes place from Monday to Friday — in the morning in Regensburg and in the afternoon in Schwandorf — where shunting operations at the front of the train allow carriages to be added or removed.

The destination of each carriage is indicated on the exterior door signage as well as on the electronic displays on the grey carriages. If passengers are unsure, the onboard staff can provide assistance to ensure they are in the correct carriage. Before uncoupling, staff verify that no passengers remain inside the carriage.

After the alex arrives in Regensburg, coupling the reinforcement carriages may take several minutes. During this time, passengers are asked for patience. An even distribution across all carriages helps ensure that sufficient space is available for everyone. Passengers are requested to follow the announcements made by the staff.