Deutsche Bahn plans nationwide alcohol ban at train stations

Palla Wants More Safety — Railway Plans Nationwide Alcohol Ban at Train Stations

Deutsche Bahn intends to enforce an alcohol ban at all its train stations in the future. The company expects this to improve safety for employees and travelers. Hamburg, for example, has already had good experiences with such a measure.

Deutsche Bahn is planning an alcohol ban at all 5,400 train stations in Germany. In the future, it is to be prohibited nationwide to drink beer, wine, spirits, or any other alcohol on platforms or in station concourses outside of station restaurants. The railway confirmed a corresponding report by Bild newspaper to the news agency dpa.

The measure is intended to protect employees and travelers. "We want more order and safety at our stations and on our trains," said railway chief Evelyn Palla. The ban is to be implemented nationwide by October 15.

Such a ban is already in place in Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, and other major cities. Deutsche Bahn now wants to enforce it at all stations. To this end, the respective house rules will be adjusted in coordination with municipalities and authorities.

Trespass Orders and Bans from Premises Threatened

Anyone who violates the drinking ban faces a trespass order in the future, or a permanent ban from the premises in the event of a repeat offense. The ban applies to the consumption of alcohol on platforms and in station concourses, it was stated. Carrying sealed beverages will not be prohibited. Security personnel from Deutsche Bahn and the Federal Police are to monitor compliance with the measure.

In Hamburg, for example, Deutsche Bahn has already had good experiences with an alcohol ban. After the consumption of alcohol was banned there in April 2024, the number of conflicts and altercations noticeably decreased. An initial assessment noted that travelers' sense of security had improved and that cleaning requirements had decreased.

Violence on trains and at stations had recently increased, according to figures from the Federal Police. Earlier this year, a fatal attack on a train conductor caused nationwide horror. In response to the rising number of assaults against its employees, Deutsche Bahn convened a security summit.