Deutsche Bahn’s staffing crisis cancels trains as recruiting gets creative
Deutsche Bahn is grappling with severe staff shortages in its signal boxes, particularly in the Rhine-Main region. The main event causing repeated train cancellations, with some evening services in Frankfurt set to remain suspended until at least autumn 2025. To address the issue, the company is now employing unusual recruiting methods, including targeting young gamers and using social media campaigns.
The shortage stems from a mix of skilled labour gaps, rising sick leave, and the highly specialised nature of the dispatcher role. Each worker is trained for specific local sections, making it difficult to reassign staff when colleagues are absent. This has caused persistent disruptions, especially in Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, and central Hesse, as well as on the Rhine-Main S-Bahn network.
Hesse currently employs around 1,300 dispatchers, with another 450 in training—including 200 career changers. Despite these efforts, understaffing remains critical. The operations centre in Frankfurt manages eleven signal boxes, including the one controlling routes into Frankfurt’s main event. Dispatchers play a vital role in ensuring tracks are clear, controlling signals and switches to keep trains moving safely.
In response to the crisis, Deutsche Bahn has launched unconventional recruiting drives. These include gamification strategies, influencer partnerships, and targeted social media campaigns aimed at attracting younger candidates. The passenger rights group Pro Bahn has demanded a parliamentary inquiry and personnel changes at Deutsche Bahn over the ongoing understaffing issues.
The staffing crisis has forced Deutsche Bahn to explore new ways of filling critical roles. Until more dispatchers are trained and recruited, service cancellations will likely continue across key routes. The company’s efforts to modernise recruiting may determine how quickly the situation improves.
