Region: Germany
Animal rights

Deutschland-Ticket: Time for Fair Play in the Canine Commute!

Petition is addressed to
Ministerium für Infrastruktur und Digitales

187 signatures

181 from 30,000 for quorum in Germany Germany

187 signatures

181 from 30,000 for quorum in Germany Germany
  1. Launched 25/01/2025
  2. Time remaining > 5 months
  3. Submission
  4. Dialog with recipient
  5. Decision

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News

02/11/2025, 15:18

What is the Deutsche Barkbahn campaign about?
We are advocating for transparency, equality and accessibility when it comes to dog travel on German trains. Right now, there is no clear or fair policy – prices vary widely across regions and operators, often leading to unpredictable and excessive costs for dog owners.

Why should dogs travel for free or at a lower cost?
- Lack of consistency: Pricing is arbitrary. A small minority of operators allow dogs to travel for free on the Deutschland-Ticket, while many others charge 50% of a full adult fare.
- Equality: Other passengers, such as children under six, travel for free. There is no valid reason why dog owners should face high and inconsistent charges.

Aren’t dogs like extra passengers?
No. Dogs do not take up seating and are required to stay under the seat on the floor. Smaller dogs can travel for free but only in a carrier (caged for several hours?). A medium-sized dog takes up less space than a normal suitcase, yet luggage is free and passengers can bring as much as they can carry. Bicycles also face non-standard pricing, but at least they have dedicated space.

How much does it currently cost to bring a dog?
- Regional trains: While a small minority of operators allow dogs to travel for free on the Deutschland-Ticket, many others charge 50% of a full adult fare. This can often exceed the cost of the monthly ticket itself (58€).
- ICE/EC and others: Dogs over a certain size need a half-price adult ticket (ranging from 8€ to over 100€ for late bookings). However, it is often the case that taking a dog on an ICE/EC is cheaper than on a regional train.

What are we demanding?
We want a clear, nationwide policy that:
1. Is fair and transparent – dog owners should know what to expect.
2. Ideally allows free travel – just like children under six. If not free, then at least consistent and reasonable.

Is this campaign focused on climate issues?
While the climate impact is a valid argument, our campaign is focused on equality of access in public transport. Train travel should be fair and accessible for all passengers – including those with dogs.

What about other pets?
Of course, other pets travel on public transport, but so far, we have yet to encounter a Shetland pony on a train. All other pets are considered transportable in a carrier – and therefore travel for free.

Who supports this campaign?
We are a group of travellers, dog owners, and advocates for fair and accessible public transport. Many people find the current rules unfair and a barrier to train travel with dogs.

How can I help?
- Share our petition
- Share your experiences – if you've faced confusing or unfair dog travel charges, let us know!
- Spread the word and help push for fair pricing for dogs on public transport.





02/05/2025, 09:43

One week in—and our Instagram account was banned just hours after tagging Deutsche Bahn. Coincidence? You decide.

Despite that setback, we’ve been reaching out to:

• Dog trainers and schools
• Dog-friendly holiday providers
• Independent journalists and bloggers
• Breed clubs across Germany
• The VDH (German Kennel Club), which represents dog owners nationwide

We’ve put together a folder with materials you can share to help spread the word. Every post, share, and conversation makes a difference.

📌 Campaign materials: drive.proton.me/urls/9NG41AJ1Q8#5841YUdr9vUW

Got ideas on how we can push this campaign further? We’d love to hear them. Let’s keep up the momentum!

🌐 New social media BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/barkbahn.bsky.social
📧 Email us with ideas: deutschebarkbahn@proton.me


01/29/2025, 12:25

Hello

Thank you for signing up early for our petition—we really appreciate your support! Our campaign is still in its early days, and every bit of help counts.

We've started an Instagram account to document the cost of traveling with dogs, and we thought it would be fun to feature photos of pets on public transport—especially in bags! If you’d like to share a picture of your dog in a bag (or just on a train), we’d love to include it.

If possible, please include the route and the cost of your dog's ticket so we can highlight the real impact of these prices. Email: deutschebarkbahn@proton.me

You can also help by sharing the petition and our open letter with fellow dog-loving travellers.

📷 Instagram: www.instagram.com/deutschebarkbahn/
📄 Open Letter: deutschebarkban.substack.com/p/deutschlandticket-eng

Thanks again for your support!

Best
Deutsche BarkBahn


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