Deutsche Bahn wants to use an extensive investment program to increase safety at train stations and, at the same time, relax safety rules for reports of people on the tracks in order to stop train services completely less often.
Quick overview
This report is primarily relevant for rail travelers because it can have concrete effects on planning, connections, or infrastructure. The focus is on Deutsche Bahn, safety, investments, cleanliness, alcohol ban, punctuality, and EVG. The key points are summarized compactly below.
Key points
- By 2030, Deutsche Bahn will invest an additional 210 million euros in a cleanliness and safety initiative, including 220 additional cleaning staff and 44 tradesperson teams per day.
- Deutsche Bahn is pushing for trains to continue moving at 40–50 km/h on sight in the future when there are reports of adults on the tracks, rather than shutting down services immediately.
- In 2025, Deutsche Bahn recorded 6,650 disruptions caused by people on the tracks – around 18 incidents per day; long-distance punctuality in the first half of 2026 was only 58.7 percent.
- From September 1, 2026, an alcohol consumption ban will apply at four additional locations (including Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Berlin-Gesundbrunnen, Kiel, Braunschweig); by mid-October, this is to be extended to 5,400 train stations.
- The EVG is threatening warning strikes for January 2027 if the penalties for attacks on rail staff (2025: 3,200 violent offenses) are not tightened.
What this means for travelers
In the short term, little usually changes for travelers, but in the long term such projects can bring more stable timetables, better connections, and more capacity. During construction phases, diversions and temporary restrictions are possible.
Context
The measures are set against the backdrop of massive disruptions caused by unauthorized access to rail facilities and persistently low punctuality. With the investments and the planned rule change, Deutsche Bahn is pursuing the goal of minimizing the operational impact of such incidents and increasing the attractiveness of the infrastructure.
What to watch now
- Check concrete timetable or construction notices only once travel dates are set.
- Allow more generous connection times for international trips.
- Monitor source and operator information in case dates are still provisional.