Half of Germany's Bus and Train Drivers Are Over 55 — Industry Scrambles with Retirements and New Safety Programs
Published on 07/10/2026 at 09:15 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A demographic time bomb is ticking in Germany's transport sector. Roughly 40 percent of bus and train drivers are already 55 or older, the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) announced Thursday. By 2041, more than 60,000 employees will have left the industry, with about 6,000 drivers retiring each year.
The situation in freight transport is even more acute. Over the next ten to 15 years, around 200,000 truck drivers will exit the workforce due to age. The sector is urgently searching for solutions — but some employers are already testing innovative approaches.
In Berlin, the S-Bahn has launched a pilot project where 17 second-year apprentices are independently coordinating the control center for the S3 line. For two weeks, these trainees are handling traffic and personnel dispatching at the Olympiastadion location. A repeat is planned for late August.
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DB Cargo AG is also expanding its qualification offerings. Nationwide training centers now cover locomotive drivers, wagon inspectors, and yard shunters. Courses range from basic training to specialized instruction on modern train protection systems such as ETCS.
The staffing shortage is already delaying infrastructure projects. The renovated line between Nuremberg and Regensburg will open on July 31 instead of the originally planned this Friday, due to pending safety checks on signal box technology. Passenger associations are demanding more inspection capacity and easier accreditation for expert examiners.
Road maintenance workers face a particularly dangerous working environment. On Thursday, the North Rhine-Westphalia transport ministry unveiled a training program called "Risikodrom" (Risk Arena). The rationale: employees in road maintenance have a 13-fold higher accident risk than workers in other industries. The program uses video analysis and is set to be rolled out statewide.
Safety training in other areas is also being intensified. The Krause Academy now offers seminars on inspecting ladders, rolling scaffolds, and fall-protection equipment. The goal is to certify "competent persons" who can legally perform workplace safety checks.
Digitalization is transforming mandatory instruction. For small and medium-sized enterprises, continuing education isn't just about employee retention — it's a legal requirement. Germany’s Occupational Safety Act (Arbeitsschutzgesetz), the Works Constitution Act (Betriebsverfassungsgesetz), and industry-specific regulations define clear qualification obligations. The Occupational Qualification Opportunities Act (Qualifizierungschancengesetz) provides financial support.
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Digital training systems are gradually replacing paper-based logs. The German Social Accident Insurance's regulation DGUV Rule 100-001 demands incident-based safety instruction. Digital platforms now offer automated repetition scheduling and legally compliant documentation.
The skilled trades sector is also preparing for new standards. The German Sustainable Building Council (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen) is developing training programs for craft businesses on sustainable construction, with a rollout planned for early 2027. Separately, the Mannheim Chamber of Crafts recommends free intensive German courses for young recruits with migrant backgrounds — starting at the end of July at various locations across Baden-Württemberg.
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