Deutsche Bahn Tests Bodycams for Safety

Deutsche Bahn is responding to the increasing number of assaults on train attendants and plans to test audio recordings with bodycams in the Rhine-Neckar-Palatinate region starting October 1, 2026. This measure will be conducted for a period of two months and is part of a comprehensive safety concept aimed at enhancing employee safety. In the first half of 2026, a total of 989 assaults on DB Regio employees were recorded. These incidents include 781 cases of simple bodily harm, 185 cases of attempted bodily harm, and 22 cases of serious bodily harm.

The tragic peak was the death of Serkan Çalar at the beginning of 2026. Another incident occurred on July 19, 2026, when a railway employee fell from a moving train after a violent assault and was seriously injured. The responsible district court in Karlsruhe released the perpetrator, further fueling the discussion about the safety of railway employees. Harmen van Zijderveld, CEO of DB Regio AG, emphasized the need to enhance employee safety.

He stated that the audio recording from the bodycams is intended not only to contribute to the de-escalation of conflicts but also to improve the traceability of crimes. The introduction of bodycams is being carried out in close cooperation with the Hessian Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, who is involved in the implementation process. The pilot phase in the Rhine-Neckar-Palatinate region will serve as a basis for a possible nationwide rollout. In addition to bodycams, Deutsche Bahn is planning further measures to improve safety. These include pilot projects for 1/1 escorts, where customer service representatives are accompanied by another person with security expertise, as well as dual staffing in customer service.

Another component of the action plan is the deployment of inspection teams consisting of 6-8 customer service representatives who will simultaneously monitor a train. Personal protective equipment will also be expanded to provide stab-resistant vests and helmets for the mobile support group. Deutsche Bahn is also examining the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support safety measures. These technologies could play an important role in the future in monitoring and analyzing incidents. The test phase of the bodycams in the Rhine-Neckar-Palatinate region will begin on October 1, 2026, and will last for two months. Deutsche Bahn plans to evaluate the results of this pilot phase and, if necessary, prepare for a nationwide implementation. The safety situation for Deutsche Bahn employees remains tense, underscoring the need for such measures. According to current figures, there were 989 assaults on DB Regio employees in the first half of 2026.