The police union (GdP) warns of an increase in crime on buses and trains with the introduction of the 49-euro ticket. “Where there are more people, there is also more crime,” said Deputy GdP Federal Chairman Alexander Poitz of the “Rheinische Post” (Monday edition).
This will probably apply primarily to property crimes such as theft, but also property damage and bodily harm.
Therefore, the cooperation between the security services of the transport companies and the police “must be put on a stronger footing”. Deutsche Bahn and local public transport companies have been cutting back on staff for many years. “This is noticeable in the security situation and also in the sense of security.”
Poitz also warned that it could not be “that passengers on buses and trains are left to their own devices in conflict-prone situations”. For the start of the Deutschlandticket on May 1st, “accompanying preventive measures, such as broader anti-violence campaigns,” are now necessary.
The domestic political expert of the Union parliamentary group, Andrea Lindholz (CSU), told the newspaper that she also expects an increase in thefts on buses and trains after the introduction of the 49-euro ticket. “The more passengers, the more attractive public transport becomes for theft. That could already be observed with the nine-euro ticket.”
Especially with overcrowded trains and buses, the danger of verbal or physical arguments increases, warned Lindholz. A coordinated security concept for all those involved is therefore necessary, “ranging from the sufficient provision of trains and buses to preventive campaigns and the situation-adapted increase in security personnel”.
The Deutschlandticket can be used in local and regional transport throughout Germany from May and usually costs 49 euros per month. Some countries are planning cheaper tariffs, for example for schoolchildren or people with particularly low incomes.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) expects that one in five Germans will use the new 49-euro ticket. (AFP)
