Deutsche Bahn Introduces Bodycams in Long-Distance Services

Deutsche Bahn AG has announced that it will equip its employees in long-distance services with bodycams. In the first phase, 2,000 DB employees from the train attendant service, onboard catering, and DB Lounges will receive these cameras. The use of bodycams remains voluntary, allowing each employee to decide whether to wear the camera. Before using the bodycams, employees will undergo comprehensive training. This training covers the conditions of use, legal foundations, labeling obligations, and practical operation of the bodycam.

Deutsche Bahn emphasizes that the bodycam does not record continuously but is activated only during specific conflicts or escalations. When the bodycam is activated, the employee informs their surroundings. This is intended to have a deterrent effect, but it requires that the affected person is responsive. The effectiveness may be questionable with intoxicated or drug-affected passengers. Currently, the bodycam only records video.

Audio recordings are not possible for the time being; however, Deutsche Bahn plans to conduct tests for audio recordings in the third quarter of 2026. These tests aim to expand the de-escalating effect of the bodycams and evidence preservation. The recordings from the bodycams are stored encrypted and transmitted to a secure server. They remain stored for 72 hours before being automatically deleted. Only the Federal Police have access to the recordings if a corresponding criminal complaint is filed.

DB Fernverkehr AG does not have access to the bodycam recordings and does not evaluate them. Employees are allowed to wear the bodycam on railway premises during their shifts but not in private settings. Bodycams have been in use in local transport for a longer time. The first train attendant with a bodycam was spotted just a few days after the fatal attack on a train attendant on February 2, 2026.

This measure aims to enhance employee safety and defuse potential conflicts. With this step, Deutsche Bahn seeks to improve the safety of its employees and strengthen passenger trust. Training for employees is already underway to ensure a smooth deployment of the bodycams. The bodycams are part of a comprehensive safety strategy by Deutsche Bahn, which also includes other measures to improve safety in rail transport. The legal framework for the use of bodycams is currently being clarified with the relevant authorities. Deutsche Bahn plans to potentially deploy bodycams in other areas of the company in the future to further enhance safety. The first bodycams are expected to be issued to employees during the third quarter of 2026.