Following the fatal attack on a train guard, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) is calling for a tightening of criminal protection for employees of service firms such as the railway. “The offence framework must be expanded and the minimum sentences for attacks must be raised” he said on Wednesday.
Dobrindt noted that the rising violence against public‑sector employees and other service providers, like railway staff, requires “decisive consequences”. He expects the perpetrator to be punished with the full severity of the law for his brutal act.
Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) also demanded consequences. He said that a collaborative effort is needed to safeguard employees, adding that trains and stations must be safe. “All state levels are now called upon to stem the increasing willingness to violence” he stated.
When a dts news agency asked what measures he had in mind, Schnieder’s spokesperson replied evasively: “This trend of violence and harshness has been present in society for some time. It is a societal task, and of course in our case because the railway falls under our responsibility”. Ultimately, all sectors, all levels, and all ministries must cooperate.
Meanwhile, the Railway and Transport Union (EVG) demanded accountability as well. “Disrespect has risen sharply” an EVG spokesperson told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”. Railway employees go to work so that others can safely reach families, work or holidays, and in return they are spat at, insulted, or, as now, killed.
“The incident is rare, but severe assaults are not isolated” the union added. The number of attacks on train guards has risen steadily in recent years. A central concern identified by the union is staff shortages-especially in regional transport. It calls for a return to dual staffing of train guard duties: “Local transport is part of public provision. It concerns safety for both staff and passengers. It is incomprehensible how policymakers can think they can cut this”.