Deutsche Bahn Scraps Comedy Ad Campaign After €7m Spending Row

Deutsche Bahn has pulled the plug on its high-profile advertising series Boah, Bahn!, starring comedian Anke Engelke, after criticism that the campaign no longer fits the public mood. What began as a humorous tribute to railway staff has now turned into a political controversy over priorities, security, and spending.

Deutsche Bahn has stopped financing the advertising series Boah, Bahn!, in which Engelke plays train conductor Tina dealing with everyday rail problems such as delays or broken coffee machines in onboard bistros. According to the company, the format no longer reflects the "spirit of the times."

Political Criticism and Calls for Accountability

The decision follows sharp criticism from Sebastian Fiedler, the SPD’s spokesperson for internal affairs in the Bundestag. Speaking to Bild am Sonntag, Fiedler described it as scandalous that Deutsche Bahn’s management had spent "millions of euros on supposedly funny advertising spots." He argued that the same funds could have financed at least 100 additional security staff for a full year.

Fiedler confirmed that the issue will be taken up by the Bundestag’s committees on internal affairs and transport. Deutsche Bahn declined to disclose the campaign’s exact cost, stating that advertising expenditures and contractual details constitute commercial and operational secrets. The company added only that the budget was in line with comparable campaigns in the sector.

However, citing several independent sources, Der Spiegel reported that DB AG spent around €7 million on advertising.

Trade Unions Question Priorities Amid Security Concerns

Launched in October 2025, Boah, Bahn! featured 3–4-minute web episodes portraying exaggerated stories from the daily lives of train staff. At the launch, Michael Peterson, DB board member for long-distance passenger services, described the series as a "humorous declaration of love to railway employees."

That framing was challenged by the leadership of the EVG. EVG chairman Martin Burkert questioned whether renovating staff rest areas or equipping all employees with body cameras would not be a more meaningful "declaration of love." His remarks referenced the recent killing of a train conductor during a ticket inspection on a regional service, after an assault by a passenger travelling without a valid ticket.

According to federal government data, a growing number of Deutsche Bahn employees have become victims of criminal acts in recent years. EVG has long warned of rising violence against railway staff and continues to demand stronger protective measures. Some DB Security employees already wear body cameras at major hubs such as Berlin Central Station.