Deutsche Bahn has unveiled plans for a novel addition to its Intercity Express (ICE) trains: two-person cabins (2m x 70 cm) that allow passengers to switch from clear to frosted glass for increased privacy. The innovative feature, unveiled in Berlin, will allow passengers to transform their space for private conversations or simply for more seclusion. According to German newspaper Bild, which humorously dubbed the spaces "cuddle cabins", the initiative also included a poll to name the compartments, with "cuddle compartment" and "cuddle chamber" the leading options.
Michael Peterson, a member of Deutsche Bahn's board of directors, spoke to Bild newspaper about the new cabins, explaining: "They enable private and confidential conversations in a protected environment. He also noted that passengers testing the prototypes of the two-person ICE compartments would be able to experience what train travel could be like in the future.
A spokesman for Deutsche Bahn also told The Independent that the idea for the compartments wasn't aimed at any particular group. "The need for confidential conversations and particularly shielded travel is very strong among business travellers, but also among private travellers and those with children," the spokesperson explained, stressing the importance of including a diverse cross-section of society in their market research to gather extensive feedback and refine their service offerings.
These changes are part of a wider effort by Deutsche Bahn to update its services, with the aim of creating a 'railway fit for the future' by 2030, with improvements such as AI technology and extensive track repairs.
