Deutsche Bahn (DB) has launched an emergency program to improve safety and cleanliness at train stations in Germany, with measures that should be visible as early as this year.
The initiative is part of the government’s agenda to increase passenger satisfaction and aims to rapidly improve the station experience, in a context where punctuality remains under pressure due to the high volume of work on the network.
The program was officially presented at Berlin Central Station (Berlin Hauptbahnhof) by Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla, alongside Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder.
The first measures will be implemented in 25 stations across the country, with the list to be expanded throughout the year.
More security in stations
Among the main measures announced are an increase in security personnel, additional patrols, and the expanded use of video surveillance systems.
In 2026, several major stations—including those in Mainz, Mannheim, and Hamburg—will benefit from additional security personnel.
Currently, around 11,000 video cameras are already in operation in German train stations, and DB is working with the federal police to expand these systems.
The program is complemented by a prevention campaign that promotes respect for employees and civic responsibility in the public space of the train station.
Intensified cleaning and rapid repairs
On the cleaning side, Deutsche Bahn will intensify maintenance activities in 2026, both in major railway hubs and smaller stations.
Twice as many as last year, 1,400 stations will benefit from “spring cleaning” campaigns, many of them located in rural areas.
These actions include intensive cleaning of platforms, passageways, elevators, glass surfaces, furniture, and passenger equipment, as well as the removal of graffiti and chewing gum. In some cases, local authorities and station tenants will support these operations.
At the same time, DB will introduce mobile intervention teams for quick repairs, capable of promptly remedying minor defects – from broken windows and vandalized panels to small finishing works. The model has already been tested in a pilot project, and its nationwide expansion is underway.
Additional investments
According to the company’s management, approximately EUR 50 million will be allocated additionally this year for safety and cleanliness measures in stations.
Deutsche Bahn emphasizes that the goal is for passengers to quickly see concrete improvements, even if 2026 will remain difficult in terms of train punctuality.
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