Overview

• Nearly 43,000 security incidents were recorded on NRW’s regional rail network over the past year, driven largely by improved data collection.
• Threats against train controllers and security personnel topped 1,300, marking a 17 percent increase while recorded assaults rose from 823 to 905.
• Fare evasion hit a new high with almost 15,000 cases on regional trains and station trespassing incidents rose from 1,866 to 3,450.
• VRR spokesperson Oliver Wittke blamed the rise in attacks on a decline in social norms and called for tougher penalties for fare dodging and verbal abuse.
• The surveillance upgrade program has equipped nearly 100 small and mid-sized stations with enhanced cameras and is piloting artificial intelligence to flag overcrowding and suspicious objects.