Rail workers in Dusseldorf, Germany, are battling against trash, vandalism, and environmental pollution at their local train stations.
Cleaning Up the Rhine Trains: A Dedicated Team's Efforts
The Rhine trains in Germany have a dedicated cleaning team that ensures a comfortable and clean environment for passengers. This team, led by Manfred Barths since March 2020, is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the trains, their interiors, and related facilities.
Their tasks are diverse and far-reaching. They remove trash from the tracks, clean graffiti from seats, and prune overgrown shrubs. They also clean ticket machines and buttons at the stations. The team's efforts extend to the cleaning of adjacent bus stops at 30 particularly frequented points.
The team's fleet includes three economic vehicles and one trash truck. They cover seven fixed cleaning routes, and their goal is to clean each station and platform at least once a year. In the first half of 2025 alone, they collected 7.3 tons of waste. They maintain approximately 518 platforms in the Rhine train area.
Cleaning in the track area requires a safety officer to warn colleagues before each approaching train. The team often faces disrespect from some individuals regarding the environment, but passengers and passersby have expressed direct praise for their work.
Feedback about stations needing attention can be reported to Rhine train's service number 0800. 6 50 40 30 or by email to [email protected]. Awista Kommunal is responsible for emptying the trash cans at the Rhine train stations, while the company Wall is responsible for cleaning the waiting shelters.
The Rhine train's mission is to connect people, places, and life, and this includes maintaining a well-maintained environment. The team's work is a testament to this mission, as they strive to provide a clean and pleasant travel experience for all.
It's important to note that the cleaning of Rhine train stations is typically the responsibility of the station management or the infrastructure owner rather than the train operators themselves. However, the Rhine train cleaning team's focus on maintaining the cleanliness of the trains and their immediate surroundings is a commendable effort towards enhancing the overall travel experience.
References:
- Rheinbahn cleaning team
- Rheinbahn cleaning tasks
- River cruise cleaning staff
- Train maintenance technologies
- The Rhine train cleaning team also works on maintaining the cleanliness of related facilities such as public-transit bus stops at 30 frequented points, aligning with their mission to connect people and places.
- In the finance industry, the cleaning and maintenance of the trains and stations play a crucial role in enhancing the public's perception of the Rhine train services, potentially influencing future transportation decisions.
