Germany Hits 40°C Heatwave: Deutsche Bahn Offers Full Refunds for First Time

Berlin, June 25 (CNA) — With temperatures in Germany forecasted to soar past 40°C this weekend, Deutsche Bahn (DB) announced today a special “extraordinary tolerance” measure. For the first time, the rail operator is allowing passengers to cancel previously purchased tickets for a full refund to alleviate pressure on the transport network during the extreme heatwave.

Weather forecasts indicate that temperatures will exceed 35°C in many areas this week, with some regions potentially hitting 40°C. Passengers holding tickets purchased before June 23 for travel scheduled through next Tuesday are eligible for a full refund regardless of the ticket category, including non-refundable promotional fares. DB advises passengers to utilize this policy if their travel is not essential, aiming to reduce system strain during this period.

DB noted that extreme heat poses significant challenges to railway infrastructure. Prolonged exposure can affect switches, signaling, and safety control systems, increasing the risk of delays. Furthermore, elevated temperatures heighten the risk of wildfires along tracks, while accompanying severe weather such as storms can further disrupt operations.

This announcement follows a major service disruption on the 24th, where a failure in the GSM-R communication system paralyzed rail traffic nationwide. While investigations suggest the cause was related to maintenance, the incident highlighted the fragility of the network. As Deutsche Bahn faces ongoing criticism regarding reliability, the company remains under pressure to enhance infrastructure resilience against extreme climate events.