After a conductor of the Deutsche Bahn was killed, the union of locomotive drivers (GDL) intensified its pressure on the railway’s board.
In an open letter addressed to the long‑distance management and CEO Evelyn Palla-reported by the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” (Wednesday issue)-the GDL emphasised that the fatal attack is not an isolated, unforeseeable event. “Assaults, threats and violence against staff in the train‑escort service are known for years” the union wrote.
The union pointed out that the board had repeatedly discussed these security problems in monthly talks with the joint works council of DB Fernverkehr, yet nothing had improved. “Continuing the current deployment and staffing concepts after a fatal act of violence is legally untenable” the GDL argued.
In long‑distance services the staffing scheme is decided by Deutsche Bahn itself, unlike regional routes where German states determine the model. In summer 2024 the railway introduced a new “1:1” concept: a single train‑crew leader and one conductor per ICE, instead of the former arrangement of a leader plus two, three, or four conductors. The union warned that on certain days crew sizes have dropped to “1:0”, meaning a single employee is responsible for operations, service, checks and conflict handling. “These instances of lone work are unacceptable given the known threat environment” the letter said.
The joint works councils of DB Fernverkehr therefore call on the board to enforce a “binding minimum staffing” for ICEs. For trains of nine cars or more they demand a minimum ratio of 1:2-one leader and two conductors-and the elimination of all 1:0 crews. They stress that single‑worker crews are incompatible with the risks and constitute an unlawful endangerment of life and health.
The union further demands a significant increase in the presence of security forces, the provision of body cameras “everywhere and at all times”, and the implementation of data‑protective in‑train camera surveillance.