Deutsche Bahn doubles cleaning staff to transform ICE train hygiene
Deutsche Bahn has ramped up cleaning efforts on its ICE trains, with crews now scrubbing an area the size of six football pitches every week. The move follows a major investment in staff and resources to improve onboard cleanliness and service quality. Since January, the number of cleaning staff has doubled on busy routes. A total of 220 employees now work while trains are in service, up from the previous 110. Special teams also remain on standby at major hubs like Munich, ready to step in when needed.
In the first three months of this year alone, crews cleaned 680,000 toilets and filled around 170,000 rubbish bags. Beyond cleaning, mobile technicians have focused on keeping onboard facilities running smoothly. They replaced 100 coffee machines in bistros during the same period.
Michael Peterson, head of long-distance services at Deutsche Bahn, confirmed the improvements in cleanliness and service. Passenger surveys reflect this positive trend, with many travellers noting visible changes.
The railway is pouring an extra €20 million into these efforts throughout 2024. The funding supports expanded staffing and more frequent maintenance across the network. The increased cleaning and maintenance measures aim to provide a better travel experience for passengers. With more staff, better-equipped teams, and a significant financial boost, Deutsche Bahn expects these changes to remain in place for the foreseeable future.
