A nitpick about one part of their methodology: they give the cheapest (by a really wide margin) operator, Flixtrain, zero points for reduced ticket prices, thei

A nitpick about one part of their methodology: they give the cheapest (by a really wide margin) operator, Flixtrain, zero points for reduced ticket prices, their direct competitor, DB, do get points because there are multiple ways to obtain cheaper tickets. That sounds "legal but morally wrong"; it's like you have one seller who offers apples for 10€ a bag but offers 5€ a bag for people with kids. That's nice and all but what about their small competitor who is present on fewer markets and offers apples for under 3€ a bag? Do you point your finger at that guy and complain how he's not acting with a social conscience, because no reductions for people with kids? I do not think so. Also I'm not sure how much they factored in the ease of purchase and the reach of reduced fares. With DB you can buy a yearly 25% reduction card; when you do so, you do get cheaper prices, but you have to be sure what journeys you will do in the next 12 months, you have to pay upfront, you're implicitly on a subscription plan that requires you to cancel, and also now Deutsche Bahn knows where your picture, your name, your street address, your birth date is on their network. You can also save money by buying a ticket weeks or months in advance and buying a ticket for a specific train. Both conditions are inconveniences. People who travel with public transport are made to jump through hoops and are encouraged to constantly look for new ways to get a cheaper ticket. Deutsche Bahn management probably likes that because "engagement".