Despite overcrowded trains, especially on tourist connections over the long Whitsun holiday weekend, the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) considers the launch of the €9 ($9.6) rail ticket a success. “We expected very full vehicles and platforms for the Whitsun weekend, and this has been confirmed,” association president Ingo Wortmann said on Tuesday. However, the transport companies and the passengers were very well prepared, and the companies had coped with the high demand, he said. Nevertheless, many trains on tourist routes were overloaded, the VDV said. “At times, platforms …