Around one million euros for safety measures on local trains
In response to growing safety concerns in local rail passenger transport (SPNV), the state of Saxony-Anhalt is providing an additional budget of around one million euros this year. The state government intends to use this funding to enhance the safety of passengers and employees in local transport, as announced today by the Minister for Infrastructure and Digital Affairs, Dr Lydia Hüskens, during an on-site meeting with railway company representatives at Magdeburg Central Station.
“Those who take on responsibility on trains every day deserve support and protection. That is what this security budget is for. Bodycams and self-defence training are important in preventing assaults and strengthening staff and passengers' sense of security,” emphasised Minister Hüskens. Nahverkehrsservicegesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt GmbH (NASA), DB Regio Südost, Abellio and Start GmbH also took part in the event.
As part of the special budget, NASA GmbH is collaborating with railway companies to determine which additional measures, beyond existing contractual provisions, are sensible and feasible. One such measure is the use of body cameras, which DB Regio Südost is already using. In Saxony-Anhalt, the cameras are used sporadically and only on a voluntary basis in regional transport. The cameras are intended to deter potential aggression and provide evidence in serious cases. DB Regio presented this measure as an example at the meeting in Magdeburg.
The introduction or expansion of additional security measures is being carried out in close consultation with the transport companies. As well as technical equipment such as body cameras, training courses in self-protection and de-escalation are being considered, as well as the targeted deployment of security personnel and other security measures. These measures build on a series of existing initiatives: The state's transport contracts contain specifications for video surveillance in almost all vehicles, the deployment of security personnel, and an automatic aggression detection system in the Elbe-Spree network. Furthermore, NASA GmbH is involved in various security and public order partnerships with railway companies, DB InfraGO, DB Sicherheit and the Federal Police to strengthen collaboration between all relevant stakeholders.