Germany’s national railway operator, Deutsche Bahn, has announced plans to ban alcohol consumption at all of its 5,400 stations as part of efforts to reduce violence and improve safety for employees and passengers. The ban will be introduced gradually, with a target date of full implementation by 15 October.

This move comes amid rising incidents of aggression and violence against railway staff. Deutsche Bahn has reported an average of about five violent incidents per day targeting its personnel, with alcohol or drugs involved in more than half of these cases, according to the Federal Police. A recent high-profile incident drew particular attention when a 26-year-old Deutsche Bahn employee was pushed out of a moving train by a drunken passenger during a routine ticket inspection, resulting in serious injury.

The policy follows a successful pilot conducted at approximately 30 larger stations, including locations in Cologne, Hamburg, and Munich. The ban is set to expand to additional major stations such as Berlin’s central and Gesundbrunnen stations starting 1 September, before a nationwide rollout. While alcohol will be prohibited in station areas, it will still be available onboard trains where dining cars serve alcoholic beverages. Station bars and restaurants will also retain exemptions from the ban.

Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla emphasized the connection between alcohol consumption and increasing violence, describing incidents as "brutal and senseless." Under the new regulations, individuals caught consuming alcohol in prohibited areas will be expelled from stations, with repeat offenders potentially facing permanent bans.

The introduction of the ban has raised questions about enforcement. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt acknowledged potential difficulties, noting that the restrictions cannot be directly enforced by the police and may strain Deutsche Bahn’s security staff resources. How the operator will effectively manage compliance across thousands of stations remains uncertain.

The move represents a significant shift in Germany’s traditionally more relaxed approach to alcohol consumption on public transport, where having a beer while commuting — commonly called “Wegbier” — has been largely tolerated. Authorities hope the ban will help curb the increasing violence and enhance overall safety within the rail network.