The ban is to be implemented nationwide by October 15, 2026. Until now, an alcohol ban only applied at major stations such as Frankfurt, Hamburg, or Cologne. Now the railway is extending the regulation to all stations under its house rules.
Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla told Bild: “Enough is enough. We are now cracking down even harder. We want more order and safety at our stations and on our trains. For me, only one thing counts: protecting our colleagues and our passengers.” The local house rules are to be adjusted in the coming weeks in coordination with municipalities and authorities.
Compliance with the ban will be monitored by DB security forces and the Federal Police. Violations will result in an immediate expulsion from the premises, and repeat offenses will lead to a permanent ban from the station. There is no general alcohol ban on trains yet, only on some S-Bahn lines such as in Hamburg and Hanover.
The railway hopes for more safety and fewer conflicts. At Hamburg’s main station, where an alcohol ban has been in effect since April 2024, altercations have noticeably decreased, passengers’ sense of security has improved, and cleaning costs have dropped.
Source: www.spiegel.de
