The Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway company, has decided to end its image campaign "Boah, Bahn!" featuring comedian Anke Engelke. The campaign, which included comedy episodes aimed at improving the railway's public image, has come under scrutiny due to the significant costs involved. Critics have questioned the allocation of such funds, especially in light of the current debates surrounding safety deficiencies within the railway system.

Sebastian Fiedler, the interior policy spokesperson of the SPD in the Bundestag, raised concerns in the "Bild am Sonntag," labeling it a scandal that millions of euros were spent on humorous ad clips. He challenged the management's decision, suggesting the money could have been used to hire at least 100 additional safety personnel for a year. This revelation has sparked a broader debate on prioritizing safety over image enhancement campaigns in the wake of ongoing criticisms about operational failures in the railway services.

As a result, the Bundestag's internal and transport committees are expected to address this spending issue, potentially leading to further scrutiny of the Deutsche Bahn management’s financial priorities. With safety becoming a central concern among the public and policymakers alike, the discontinuation of this campaign reflects a shift in focus towards more pressing operational needs rather than creative marketing strategies.