A representative of the German leftist party Die Linke (a direct successor of the East German SED) has suggested to abolishing first class coaches on regional trains of the German Railway, Bundesbahn. He argues that the working people shouldn’t support the privileges of the upper class enjoying empty waggons in first. The Bundesbahn has rejected this idea.

It’s election time. The country faces three sensitive elections for provincial parliaments in the former East. But it’s also a bit more than that. In Berlin representatives of Die Linke have propagated the compensation- free expropriation of real estate corporations. The next call for expropriation was for airlines under the pretext that it would help save the climate.

But back to trains. I often travel first class for the simple reason that I have more space for luggage, not only for storing but also for schlepping it from door to seat and back. It’s ages since train services in Germany had offered point-to-point luggage services (go to Switzerland and see how it works there). On regional and commuter trains the little space there is in trains is often congested with bicycles, so travelling with anything more than a hand bag or a day pack becomes a burden. Of course, it’s also nice to have a bit less commotion, more calm and sometimes more comfortable seats.

But practical and electioneering aspects aside, this call by Die Linke demonstrates a lack of understanding of simple economics. Ever so often, I travel 1st with tickets that are cheaper than those in 2nd, especially when booking well in advance. Right now I travel 1st from Salzburg to Kiel for a mere 115€. What makes this possible is called the market. Of course lefties hate it. Not because they don’t understand it, it’s because they can’t control it. Airlines have practiced flexible ticket pricing on any class for dozens of years, and railroad companiess are increasingly getting there.

But of course it’s easier and more populist for the the MPs of Die Linke to call for expropriation while enjoying the airline lounges of Lufthansa with their gold card entitlement as parliamentarians – courtesy of the tax-paying masses.