German Supermarket to Sell Train Tickets

The state-owned German rail company Deutsche Bahn will sell low-cost tickets through the discount chain Lidl, a railroad spokesman said Thursday. He confirmed a report due to appear Friday in the popular daily Bild, but gave no more details pending an official announcement. According to the report, an initial test is to take place from May 19-28 in 2,600 Lidl supermarkets. Customers are to be offered two round-trip, second-class train tickets between any two German destinations for 49.90 euros ($64.55). The head of Deutsche Bahn, Hartmut Mehdorn, has regularly denounced unfair competition by low-cost airlines in the country.