KVB announces nightly closures of subway stations!

KVB announces nightly closures of subway stations!

Köln, Deutschland - The Cologne transport companies (KVB) are facing a major challenge: From June 6, 2025, they will introduce night closures at many subway stations to fight the increasing problem of homelessness and drug abuse. The operation of the subway is stopped between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., as more and more underground stops are becoming refuge for homeless and drug addicts. In particular, the KVB employees report unacceptable hygienic conditions in these stations, which show a significant increase in faeces, urine, syringes and sleeping bags. This has caused groups of 40 to 50 people to come together at Appellhofplatz, which further tightens the security situation. KVB boss Stefanie Haaks even speaks of growing aggressiveness towards passengers and employees and describes this as a problem for society as a whole.

But why the closings at all? This measure is part of a comprehensive security offensive of the transport company, which was developed in response to the increasing complaints about inappropriate behavior in the subway stations. In 2024, 929 house bans alone were pronounced and hundreds of criminal applications for trespassing and property damage were recorded, so Ksta.de . The mayor Henriette Reker has also not escaped the “increasing neglect” in the city. In order to meet these challenges, the KVB has now announced increased patrol services in problematic stops such as Neumarkt and Ebertplatz, which have been present around the clock since the beginning of 2024.

safety and cleanliness measure

Another part of the new strategy provides for the introduction of shuttle buses that are supposed to bring homeless people to emergency sleeping points. From 5 a.m. these people should then be referred from the stops. The KVB also plans to shorten the cleaning intervals and to use new cleaning agents to improve the hygiene standards at the stops, such as the Rundschau reported.

A pilot project at two stops is also intended to investigate how music could influence the quality of stay and the feeling of security of the passengers. A “heat room” is tested in a KVB bus to support homeless people in the cold season. "Housing First" and damage minimization are concepts that must be addressed in this context, as is emphasized in a guideline of the EU on the subject of homelessness and drug use. These initiatives aim to not only offer those affected a roof over their heads, but also to enable access to health and social services, which is necessary to improve their quality of life.

costs and future plans

However, the implementation of these measures requires considerable financial means. The KVB needs several million euros from politics. A new organizational approach would be required for the areas of passenger security and service, which would bring costs of over 5 million euros. The daily cleaning of all subway stops alone could cost a further 6 million euros, according to euda .

The Cologne traffic companies are not only faced with the challenge of ensuring security and cleanliness, but also have to tackle the social framework. The topic of homelessness and drug abuse is complex and requires an interaction between the city, police, health department and social institutions. The coming months will show whether the planned measures can actually improve the situation in the Cologne subway stations.