Hundreds of employees from DB Systel, the IT service provider of Deutsche Bahn, held a protest in Frankfurt's Bahnhofsviertel against the company's proposed job cuts. The protest is driven by fears surrounding the potential loss of around 2,000 jobs, which could escalate to over 4,000 positions at worst. The total number of employees at DB Systel stood at approximately 7,000 by the end of 2025, with more than 4,000 based in Frankfurt.

The workers, supported by colleagues from other Deutsche Bahn subsidiaries, gathered near the office tower of DB Systel to express their concerns about the impact of these layoffs not only on their jobs but also on the quality of service provided to train passengers. The protest highlights the invisible yet crucial roles IT staff play in ensuring the smooth operation of railway services, a fact that often goes unrecognized compared to more visible employees such as train conductors.

Protests were also organized in Berlin and Erfurt, showcasing a united front among the workforce against the planned budget cuts by the management. The actions of the Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft (EVG) union underline the critical importance of maintaining staffing levels in IT services, which are essential for the future of railway operations, especially amid increasing demands for digital capabilities from the public transport sector.