Fare evader attacks conductor: train attacks continue to rise!

Fare evader attacks conductor: train attacks continue to rise!

A frightening incident occurred at Linz main station that highlights the ongoing problem of violence against train and bus staff. A 23-year-old conductor from Wels carried out a ticket inspection when the passenger could not produce a valid ticket. The passenger made an additional payment using a debit card, but a physical attack occurred a short time later. According to information from Cosmo The conductor was thrown against a part of the train by the passenger, who had black hair, dark skin and a brown jacket, and was seriously injured with a headbutt and a strangulation. The perpetrator fled after the attack, and the conductor was taken to the Wels Clinic with injuries of an unspecified degree.

The police immediately launched a search, but the attacker remains unidentified. This incident is not an isolated case. Loud daily news A total of 276 attacks on train and bus staff were recorded in 2023. Reported in this context star that the number of violent attacks on Deutsche Bahn employees on trains and at stations rose to around 3,300 in 2024, which corresponds to an increase of around six percent compared to the previous year.

Increasing violence against railway employees

The train crew in regional transport is particularly affected, which, according to railway boss Richard Lutz, can be seen as a reflection of social developments. Around half of the attacks are directed against these staff. Other employees, such as cleaning staff, train station service staff, customer advisors and bus drivers, are also often the target of attacks. Lutz described violence against railway employees as unacceptable and emphasized that the safety of staff is the top priority.

In order to counteract this worrying development, ÖBB has begun to take preventative measures. The measures include training in de-escalation techniques, the use of body cameras and the provision of additional security forces in particularly vulnerable areas, such as Cosmo reported. The body cameras, which will be used gradually and on a voluntary basis in local transport from 2024, have already proven their worth. They are used by both security forces and train crews.

Quick help in an emergency

Another important aspect is the provision of an emergency push button, the so-called priority call, which enables staff to quickly call for help in an emergency. These technical measures are intended to help increase safety for employees in rail transport and minimize the risk of attacks.

The persistently high number of attacks on train and bus staff poses major challenges for the entire industry. It is hoped that the measures taken will help improve security and reduce violence before further incidents like the one in Linz occur.