Title: Unprecedented Surge in Attacks on Deutsche Bahn Staff
Train attendants working for Deutsche Bahn (DB) have faced an alarming escalation in physical and verbal attacks. According to their own data, reported by several sources, DB staff have endured 954 instances of physical assaults as of August 2023. This is a staggering leap from 454 incidents in the same period the previous year (2022).
The ranks of affected workers go beyond those on regional and suburban trains. Even S-Bahn Berlin, a well-known metropolitan rail system, hasn't escaped the rising tide of violence.
The surge in violence against DB staff is a cause for concern, given the escalating frequency and severity of the assaults. From mild physical contact like shoving and spitting to more vicious acts like punching, these incidents are a stark reminder of the increasingly hostile environment that workers are finding themselves in.
But it isn't only physical assaults that have grown in number. Verbal attacks, reported by DB Regio train attendants, have reached a staggering count of 8,148 incidents from the beginning of the year until August 2023. This represents a 169% increase compared to the same period in 2022 and a 863% hike over 2021.
Several factors could be contributing to this disturbing trend. Resource strains, exacerbated by pandemic-induced restrictions, have left public transport systems under-resourced and overburdened. Consequently, passengers may direct frustration at the available staff. Additionally, global societal shifts, such as an increase in intolerance, harassment, and cyber aggression, may trickle down to public spaces like train stations.
[Source: various unnamed sources]
Detailed investigation may shed light on the root causes of this unsettling trend. Preventive measures can then be implemented to safeguard DB staff and maintain the quality of public transportation services.
