FAQ
Tickets and tariffs
How is it possible that you can offer such reasonable prices?
For different reasons we can offer such reasonable prices: due to an estimated occupancy of 60 % up to 70 %, we can distribute the costs of the train operation around more passengers. Compared with the ICE, we save energy and costs because Locomore’s maximum speed is 200 km/h. Since Locomore is not bound to an hourly time grid, but only runs one direction per day, we pay the lower economy price for track access charges. Finally, as a start-up we work on the principle of efficient and lean structures.
Is it possible to buy tickets on the train?
Yes, you can buy train tickets from our friendly train staff.
Does Locomore accept the pass for severely disabled persons on the train?
The Locomore train is a long distance train. In the long-distance rail segment, severely disabled persons have essentially no claim to free rail transport. People who are entitled to be accompanied by an assistant exempt from travel charges, can of course do so on Locomore trains.
Is it possible to use my Deutsche Bahn ticket on the Locomore train? Can I use my Locomore ticket on local trains during access and return travel?
As long as there is no general basic price for all railway companies in Germany, Locomore tickets are unfortunately only valid on the Locomore train. Yet, we are working on recognizing Deutsche Bahn tickets (long-distance) on the Locomore train, provided that the Deutsche Bahn ensures equitable conditions for Locomore. Thereby, passenger could use one ticket (regardless of the particular provider) on the connecting train to the Locomore train. In any case, train passengers can book tickets that are valid on all connecting trains of the Deutsche Bahn on Trainline. Trainline makes it possible to find and book cheap tickets that can be used on all trains in Europe.
Are you planning on offering a service comparable to the City-Ticket?
Whether there will be a City-Ticket (included use of local public transport at point of departure and arrival) for Locomore is not yet decided. We will collect in-depth customer feedback on this issue. We could purchase this feature from the local transport associations. But this would have to be reflected in our prices, too. The prices for this additional function are based on surveys on user frequency and therefore differ between 1,50 € to 3 € (for flow and follow-up), depending on the city and the transport association.
back to topNetwork, route and stops
Can you offer a connection from/to, a stop in...?
We are getting a lot of requests like this and it shows us that the time is right for a new railway company in long-distance railway transportation. Of course, it is in general possible to set up additional connections to our already planned ones (see here). But since our financial capacities are limited, we are forced to prioritize and cannot get started everywhere. When our first train is going to be rolling successfully and therefore a basis for a promising expansion is created, we are hopefully going to be able to start the operation of our other planned routes. Depending on the pool of potential passengers and the extended travel time we are also going to consider other possible additional stops (e.g. Weinheim, Wiesloch-Walldorf) for the timetable change 2017 then. Nevertheless this will not be possible for stops not being on the route (e.g. Bad Hersfeld) or in case of routes and stops being assessed as significantly overburdened (e.g. Berlin-Spandau).
Which additional connections are you planning?
We are planning an additional journey on the connection Stuttgart-Berlin (the opposite train) if the original connection is commercially successful. Further connections are planned between Berlin and Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich as well as Berlin and Rügen. The schedules for these connections are already reserved with DB Netz AG. For a route network display, please click here.
Is Locomore also planning to run night trains in the future?
We consider the decision of the Deutsche Bahn to stop operating their overnight trains a bitter loss for the variety of alternative travel possibilities. As we are convinced that there will be a steady demand for overnight trains on popular routes, and that railway companies could operate in this business without having to receive substitutions, we hope that the DB openly and fairly gives rolling stock and leeway to interested railway companies who want to continue running the overnight segment with sufficient transitional periods. In the future, we could imagine getting involved with overnight trains. At the moment, launching our operations, however, has priority. For this purpose, everything is prepared and ready to be implemented. In the course of ongoing discussion about the development of rail track charges in 2017, we clearly marked our position concerning of lowering rail track charges for overnight tracks, since we want that this segment has a viable future.
back to topThe company Locomore
Are you already registered as a railway company?
Yes we are.
Will you operate the train yourself?
Presumably train operation, meaning the provision of locomotives and their operating personnel as wells as train operation, will be provided by an external carrier company. For these services the company Hector Rail is going to be our partner.
What is the relationship between Locomore and Hamburg-Köln-Express (HKX)?
Locomore played a major role in the initiation phase of the Hamburg-Köln-Express (HKX) and was a founding shareholder of the Hamburg-Köln-Express GmbH holding a share of 17.5 % in 2009. Due to fundamental differences with the American HKX majority investor RDC regarding the strategic direction, Locomore and HKX separated in 2012. With effect on 31 December 2012, Locomore transferred its share of 17.5 % in the Hamburg-Köln-Express GmbH to the HKX-Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG. A few of the Locomore shareholders still hold personal shares of about 34.68 % in the latter thus indirectly holding a share of 6 % of HKX through the holding company. As a result, the company Locomore has no commercial influence on HKX since the end of 2012.
How is the relationship between Locomore and the Deutsche Bahn?
The Deutsche Bahn and Locomore have a shared history. Locomore was significantly involved in the development of the Hamburg-Köln-Express (here). In this context, Hamburg-Köln-Express and DB Netz AG little by little resolved some conflicts with respect to slots in the framework contracts and prices for infrastructure owing to persistence, by initiating opposition proceedings, through the regulatory authorities, and finally and partially by decision of the courts in the final instance. Today, we have a principally cooperative and professional relationship with the DB Netz AG, even if different opinions on certain topics remain.
What wages are you paying your staff?
We will develop a collective pay structure, which allows for a fair payment of our staff in the context of the realities of a small medium-sized company. The tariffs will follow in principle collective agreements customary in the industry. We additionally strive to adopt regulations, which allow our staff to increase their share in our commercial success.
Are you looking for train drivers and other train personnel?
In general yes. A list of open positions and further information regarding the application process can be found here. Train drivers are going to be employees of Hector Rail, our carrier.
From which company will you get your green power?
The tendering process for the green power will start in the next days. We will only consider companies which either have been certified by the association Grüner Strom Label e.V. or which have been classified as generally trustworthy providers by environmental associations. These currently include Energiewerke Schönau, Greenpeace Energy, Lichtblick and Naturstrom and Polarstern. Environmental associations promote these providers since they do not have shares in nuclear or coal-fired power plants and because they invest in new plants.
back to topTechnical details
Which locomotive series are you going to operate?
Presumably a Taurus (BR 182).
Which passenger carriages are you going to operate?
We will use RIC coaches with a maximum velocity of 200 km/h and an emergency brake override system. There will be classical compartment coaches and air-conditioned coaches divided in compartments and a saloon. The saloon has new, modern seats. All coaches are equipped with tables, power sockets and WiFi.