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Rail Travel

Forward: Rail travel is used extensively in many places within Europe. A member may require rail as the mode of travel for a TDY assignment or transportation between the members duty station and the commercial airport. The German rail system has an agreement with many airlines offering special fares for rail travel to / from the airport. They also offer the U.S. Forces a 20% discount off the normal fare (does not apply to special fares) for official travel within Germany.

A. Validate Order Content

  1. Name of Traveler
  2. Social Security number of traveler.
  3. Origin
  4. Destination
  5. Accounting Citation
  6. Order is not expired.
  7. Ensure that a complete set of orders are provided.
  8. Verify that orders have been signed and approved.

FOP (Form of Payment): If the order does not direct a form of payment, or if travelers would like to use an IBA when CBA is directed, ticketing can be provided however advise the member that the orders may have to be amended before a voucher can be filed.
Any statement on the order indicating that the member is a Government IBA card holder (i.e. "IBA may be authorized") is to be interpreted as mandatory use of the IBA. Tickets can not be issued without an amended order.

See CBA - IBA Matrix for required counseling.

FOP (Form of Payment) CINCUSEUCOM: All personnel assigned to CINCUSEUCOM, who are primarily based in Stuttgart or Belgium, have been authorized to utilize their individual IBA, the Government IBA or the Government CBA regardless of the FOP directed on the travel order. If the FOP used is different than what is stated on the travel order, we must advise the traveler that the orders may have to be amended before a voucher can be filed. Reminder, government fares can only be purchased with a government IBA or Government CBA.

Rail Policy

  • It is DOD policy that economy class travel accommodations be used for all official rail travel unless higher class accommodations are properly approved.

  • Approval

    In all cases appropriate approval authorities are at the General Officer (GO) level. Obtaining approval is the direct responsibility of the Authorizing Official (AO) which is also the person/agency responsible for publication of travel orders.

    Approved orders must contain the following.

    • Name of the approving General Officer.
    • The travel points the approval is being provided for.
    • The specific paragraph reference in the JTR or JFTR and reason/justification used.
    • Name and contact information of the person responsible for preparing and executing the approval request.

  • Traveler(s) are entitled to a seat reservation or a sleeper if traveling on an overnight train. The cost can be charged to the CBA or IBA.

    • If no seat or sleeper is available in second class, proper approval must be obtained for 1st class accommodations as indicated above.

  • SatoTravel associates are required to issue supplements for all trains requiring a supplement. The cost can be charged to the CBA or IBA.

last update June 30, 2006