Germany’s rail system bans alcohol at stations
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Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national rail company, now prohibits alcohol consumption at all of its approximately 5,700 stations, including platforms, even on days with Bundesliga football games.
The ban aims to improve safety and cleanliness at stations, building on existing restrictions at around 40 major stations where alcohol has long been prohibited.
While alcohol remains generally permitted on trains, and is even sold in the dining cars of long-distance trains, the new rule gives security personnel the authority to address violations with discretion, potentially issuing bans from the stations. The decision followed an incident in Baden-Württemberg where a railway security worker was attacked by a passenger believed to have been intoxicated. During the altercation, the worker fell from a moving train and was injured.
Deutsche Bahn representatives stated they will use “discretion” when enforcing the ban, especially during large events. Mirko Schwärzel of the Bahnhofsmission, an organization supporting people at train stations, cautioned that the ban must be applied fairly to all individuals, including celebrating fans and people experiencing homelessness, and warned against simply displacing alcohol consumption to areas surrounding the stations. Deutsche Bahn reported positive results from the existing restrictions, noting fewer conflicts and less litter at stations where alcohol was already banned.
