Until mid-August, passengers whose local train is cancelled or severely delayed can change to an Intercity-Express, Intercity or Eurocity at no extra cost. Passengers must advance the money for the ticket, but can have it refunded by application or at the service centre.

New regulations come into force on 15 August: a new EU regulation classifies the Deutschlandticket as a "substantially reduced fare". This means that passengers may no longer change to long-distance services free of charge even after a delay of 20 minutes. There are two exceptions to this rule: If passengers do not reach their destination with the last connection before midnight due to a cancellation, or arrive at their destination early in the morning between zero and five o'clock with a delay of at least 60 minutes, they can transfer to long-distance services as usual without further costs.

If none of the exceptions apply, passengers must wait for the next local train. Passengers who do not reach their connecting long-distance train on time due to a delay of their regional train are also no longer entitled to compensation.

From mid-August, all railway companies will no longer have to pay compensation if trains are delayed or cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances. Exceptional circumstances in this case are cable theft, emergencies on the train and people on the track.

Since 1 July, it has been possible to book a cross-fare bicycle ticket for 39 Euro per month. However, this ticket is only valid for NRW. A single bicycle ticket valid for 24 hours throughout NRW costs 5.10 Euro.

Also valid exclusively in NRW is the right to use 1st class, which customers can book for 69 Euro per month in addition to their regular ticket. The NRW consumer advice centre recommends checking before booking whether the trains regularly used by customers even have 1st class.

(Original text: Jasmin Kaub / Translation: Mareike Graepel)