Deutsche Bahn Invests €50M in Station Safety & Cleanliness

Deutsche Bahn invests €50 million to boost station safety and cleanliness, improving passenger experience amid infrastructure upgrades and maintaining public support.

January 23, 2026 9:39 am

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Deutsche Bahn has launched a nationwide program to improve safety and cleanliness at train stations, with initial measures starting this year.
The initiative is backed by an additional €50 million in funding for the current year.
This program is a strategic move to improve passenger satisfaction in tangible ways while network punctuality remains low due to extensive infrastructure work.

BERLIN, GERMANY – Deutsche Bahn (DB) has allocated an additional €50 million this year for an emergency program to enhance security and cleanliness across its train stations. Announced at Berlin Central Station, the initiative aims to deliver rapid, visible improvements to the passenger experience, starting with a rollout at 25 key stations before expanding nationwide.

Category	Specification / Detail
Project Name	Station Safety & Cleanliness Emergency Program
Allocated Budget	Approx. €50 million (additional funding for this year)
Key Stakeholders	Deutsche Bahn, German Federal Police
Initial Scope	25 stations, expanding throughout the year
Cleaning Target (2026)	1,400 stations to receive “spring cleaning” (2x last year’s figure)
Security Infrastructure	Expansion of the existing 11,000+ video camera network

Operational & Technical Details

The program targets two main areas: security and station upkeep. For security, DB will increase the presence of personnel and patrols. The existing network of 11,000 video cameras will be expanded in collaboration with federal police. Several major hubs, including Mainz, Mannheim, and Hamburg, are scheduled for additional security staff in 2026.

On the maintenance front, “spring cleaning” campaigns will be doubled to cover 1,400 stations, many in rural areas. These operations involve intensive cleaning of platforms, elevators, glass surfaces, and furniture, plus graffiti and gum removal. DB is also deploying new mobile intervention teams for rapid repairs of minor damage like broken windows or vandalized panels. This model follows a successful pilot project and is now being implemented nationally.

Market Impact Analysis

This €50 million investment is a direct strategy to manage customer perception. With train punctuality under severe pressure from the largest network overhaul in its history, DB cannot offer immediate improvements on its core service. Instead, the company is focusing on aspects of the journey it can control and improve quickly: the station environment. By creating a visibly cleaner and safer atmosphere, DB aims to mitigate passenger frustration over delays and maintain public support for its long-term, disruptive infrastructure modernization efforts.

FAQ: Quick Facts

What is the value of this program?

Deutsche Bahn is allocating approximately €50 million in additional funding for the program’s measures this year.

When will improvements be visible?

The first measures are scheduled to be visible to passengers as early as this year, starting in 25 stations. Further intensive cleaning and security enhancements are planned for 2026.