The restriction will be introduced gradually under Deutsche Bahn’s property rules and is intended to improve safety for passengers and railway employees.
Local station regulations will be amended in coordination with municipalities, public authorities and other administrations over the coming weeks.
DB linked the decision to repeated incidents in which alcohol was associated with violence, including a serious attack on a railway security employee on Friday (see RAILMARKET.com’s earlier report).
“We are taking action and removing alcohol consumption from our stations,” said Evelyn Palla, CEO of Deutsche Bahn. “Too often, we have seen that where excessive alcohol consumption occurs, violence also increases.”
Around 30 German stations are already covered by alcohol bans, including stations in Cologne, Munich and Hamburg. According to DB, these locations have experienced lower levels of violence and less litter.
The next restrictions will take effect on 1 September at Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Berlin Gesundbrunnen, Kiel and Braunschweig. The remaining stations will follow in stages by mid-October.
The ban will not apply to alcohol consumed inside station restaurants and other licensed hospitality businesses. Passengers will also be allowed to carry unopened alcoholic drinks in their luggage or shopping bags.
Anyone found drinking alcohol in prohibited station areas may be ordered to leave. Repeated violations could result in a station ban.
