Train Conductors in Thuringia, Germany, have been given permission to stop checking the tickets of migrant passengers in an effort to prevent them from becoming violent. The South Thuringian Railway implemented the policy in Spring after seeing a rise in aggressive behavior toward staff.
After noticing an uptick in threatening situations involving “newcomers” and train conductors, a letter was issued to Thuringian Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow explaining that the railway had begun to notice that migrant passengers would board trains without tickets and would threaten staff if asked for proof of payment.
“State and federal politics repeatedly talk about ‘integration’ and tolerance of/towards migrants/refugee,” read an excerpt from Ramelow’s letter. “We ask you seriously, how can you expect citizens of this country to be open to the refugee policy being practiced when they have to witness – practically every day, and not just on public transport – such violence, brutality, and absolute contempt and mockery of our laws and society, including its so-called values?”
In addition to spewing insults at the employees, newcomers issued threats and, in some cases, spit on them.