Border tightening affects international Flixbus trips
The new German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt believes that tightening border controls is a first step towards greater organization in immigration policy. In his speech before the German parliament, he stated that citizens "expect a change in policy" and emphasized that this change has already begun. Just hours after taking office, Dobrindt ordered last week to intensify border controls, including allowing the return of asylum seekers from crossing points.
These measures have directly affected transport companies like Flixbus. Andre Schwaemlein, co-founder of Flix, spoke to "BuzzFeed News Deutschland" about the repercussions of this strict oversight on bus operations. He explained that they are working to mitigate the negative impacts of police checks by incorporating extra time into schedules to avoid delays as much as possible.
Shafamlin confirmed that international travelers must present valid identification to the drivers, and if they do not, they are not allowed to board. He added that this procedure helps facilitate and expedite the inspection processes carried out by the police inside the buses.
As a spokesperson for Flixbus mentioned, European laws only grant authorities the right to conduct full document inspections. Therefore, the company called for enhanced cooperation with the relevant authorities, not only at the borders but also at international bus stops.
Despite the implementation of these measures, it remains unclear how long the strict border controls will last. However, it seems that they will not be permanent. The Minister of State for the Chancellery, Frei, stated in Parliament that these controls represent a "huge test" and a "major challenge" for the German federal police.