It is a question of how passenger flows are organized above all at large train stations. A closed system would mean that customers have to book a seat on a particular train – just like on an airplane.

In France, the state railways SNCF had already announced at the beginning of May that rail travelers could find out about the load on the trains before they left. For each train, there should be a corresponding symbol in the app one day before the departure. This applies particularly to regional trains. Reservations are mandatory in France for long-distance trains such as the TGV. There, the booking should be blocked when the occupancy rate reaches 50 percent.

Deutsche Bahn offers a range of apps that allow customers to plan and book train journeys, as well as manage their travel experience. Already mentioned the Navigator app, for example, provides real-time train schedules, station information, and booking options for train tickets. Customers can also use the app to access travel updates, seat reservations, and digital train tickets. Another app offered by Deutsche Bahn is the DB Shuttle app, which allows customers to book shuttle services to and from train stations. In addition to Deutsche Bahn, other train companies in Europe also offer similar apps to help customers plan and book train journeys, such as France’s SNCF app and Italy’s Trenitalia app. These apps provide a convenient and efficient way for customers to manage their train travel and access important information while on the go.