KVB plans to close the subway stations at night: a signal for cleanliness!

KVB plans to close the subway stations at night: a signal for cleanliness!

Appellhofplatz, Köln, Deutschland - The Cologne Verkehrsbetriebe (KVB) presented a package of measures to act against the increasing problems with homeless and drug abuse in the subway stations. This is done in response to increasing symptoms of passengers and staff. In particular, the focus is on cleanliness and security in the stops, such as the heavily frequented Appellhofplatz. The nightly closure is planned to reduce certain subway stations using roller gates to reduce unwanted stays. This measure is tested first before a decision about a nationwide implementation is made. According to Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger should also be introduced more frequently.

The KVB CEO Stefanie Haaks expressed that some of the proposed measures can be financed by the KVB itself, while others rely on political support. The implementation of the entire plan is estimated at several million euros, which the KVB cannot apply alone. A minimum amount of 2.5 million euros is required for 35 additional positions, while around six million euros are required for daily cleaning of all subway stations.

Need of measures against homelessness

The KVB also plans meaningful initiatives to support homeless people. Among other things, this includes a shuttle bus to emergency sleeping points and a "heat room" within a KVB bus. Jens Röskens from the Social Service of Catholic men (SKM) made it clear that help is more important for those affected than mere regulations. The KVB plans to station fixed teams at various stations in order to act as contact persons for street workers and increase the recognition value. Anke Collignon from the SKM also points out that many emergency sleeping points are not very attractive, which makes these efforts even more urgent.

A large majority of the council groups speaks for the KVB measures. However, Manfred Richter demands a more precise examination of the consequences of the Greens, while Bernd Petelkau from the CDU perceives the nightly closure of the stops as a positive signal. The left, on the other hand, calls for the construction of urban apartments to combat homelessness.

background to homelessness

In Germany, the situation of homeless people is a major social problem that also influences the KVB measures. The national action plan for overcoming homelessness, decided in April 2024, pursues the goal of eliminating the homelessness and homelessness by 2030, which requires the cooperation of different social actors. According to a report that was recently published, at least 1.3 million people were homeless in Europe in 2024, which illustrates the urgency of corresponding measures.

In addition, the federal government plans massive investments in social housing and the improvements in living conditions. These initiatives are part of a comprehensive plan, which includes increasing housing benefit and promoting a national knowledge platform against homelessness in order to improve the support of affected people.

The development around the KVB and the in parallel efforts to combat homelessness are thus in a complex context that requires both public and political attention.