Germany's national railway operator, Deutsche Bahn, has announced a comprehensive ban on alcohol consumption across its entire network of stations. The measure is designed to improve both security and cleanliness for the benefit of passengers and employees. While the ban will apply nationwide, the operator noted that there will be specific exemptions, primarily for station bars and restaurants.
The rollout of this policy will occur in stages across Germany's 5,400 stations, with a final completion date set for October 15. Currently, the ban is already in effect at 30 stations, including locations in Cologne, Hamburg, and Munich. Additional sites, such as Berlin's central and Gesundbrunnen stations, are scheduled to implement the rules on September 1 before the policy expands to the rest of the country.
Addressing the motivation behind the decision, Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla stated that the company has observed a frequent correlation between alcohol consumption and increased violence. She highlighted a recent incident involving a brutal and senseless attack, where an intoxicated passenger allegedly assaulted a security staff member during a ticket check. The employee sustained injuries after being beaten, kicked, and forced out of the door of a moving train.
Under the new enforcement plan, people who flout the ban will be kicked out of stations and multiple offenders could be given a permanent ban from the premises. Germany operates the largest railway network in Europe, spanning 33,400 kilometers (20,750 miles) and facilitating an average of 50,000 train journeys every day.
