Statement on the safety of train staff The fatal attack on a train conductor has painfully reminded the public of the risks that railway employees can be exposed to. This incident has sparked a new social and political debate about the protection of train staff.
Violence and threats have become part of everyday working life for many train attendants – yet they should never be accepted as normal or unavoidable. Those who take responsibility for safety, order and service on a daily basis need reliable protection and support.
We believe it is an important sign that the protection of train staff is now also being discussed intensively at the political level and that Deutsche Bahn has announced a security summit. The classification of train attendants as a particularly vulnerable occupational group and the announced exchange with various stakeholders show that this is a structural issue that requires careful and long-term solutions.
From our practical experience in the security-related environment, we know that effective protection does not come from individual measures. The decisive factor is the interplay of clear responsibilities, training, organisational support and – where appropriate – supporting technology. This is not about symbolism, but about de-escalation, transparency and reliability in an emergency.
The announced security summit can provide an important framework for bringing together different perspectives and seriously incorporating practical experience. Such dialogue is a prerequisite for developing solutions that actually work in the everyday work of train attendants.