Germany's national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, will ban alcohol consumption at all its train stations by October 15.
The ban is already in effect at 30 stations, including those in Cologne, Hamburg and Munich. The next stations are expected to become alcohol-free by September 1. These include Berlin Central Station, Berlin Gesundbrunnen, Kiel and Braunschweig.
All other stations in Germany will follow by mid-October, extending the ban to 5 400 stations across the country.
Restaurants and bars are exempt from the ban. Travellers will also still be allowed to carry sealed alcohol in their luggage. According to The Independent, alcoholic drinks will continue to be sold in dining cars on long-distance trains.
Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla said the move was prompted by concerns that alcohol-fuelled incidents were affecting passenger and employee safety.
Passengers who breach the new rules may be removed from stations, while repeat offenders could face a permanent ban.
