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Cost of train graffiti and vandalism on the rise, operators say

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Cost of train graffiti and vandalism on the rise, operators say
Photo: DPA

The cost of graffiti and vandalism on Germany’s trains is on the rise, hitting a record last year of €50 million as the amount of spray-painting and damage creeps upward, according to a Friday media report.

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Daily Mitteldeutsche Zeitung reported that graffiti, slashed seats, smashed windows on bus shelters and damaged ticket machines were costing Deutsche Bahn and other rail operators – and ultimately commuters – more each year.

“Each year we have to spend more and more on the removal of graffiti and other vandalism damage,” Georg Stephan Wigger, head of the regional rail carrier DB Regio Südost, told the paper.

The latest popular technique is to use felt pens in combination with sharp nails to make graffiti tags on train walls and windows, the result being that the ink penetrates so deeply it cannot be washed off.

“Then all you can do is replace the cladding,” Wigger said.

The Local/djw

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