Dhe railway switches off the light – at least in its headquarters. In future, the Bahntower at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin will remain dark at night. “Only the DB logo and the position lights for air traffic control are still lit,” said the state-owned company on Tuesday. Until now, horizontal fluorescent tubes have been shining outwards until midnight, emphasizing the characteristic exterior of the high-rise building. These LED lights would now no longer be switched on.
The DB spoke of an “initiative to save energy”. It has not been announced how large the savings actually are. Presumably, it is more of a symbolic action, especially since the LED lights are economical anyway. The appeal to the 200,000 employees in Germany and a bonus program that starts at the same time as the blackout of the headquarters could bring more.
100 euros energy bonus
All collective bargaining and AT employees will receive a so-called energy bonus of 100 euros with their salary payment in December. “If the idea is well received and the colleagues activate a noticeable number of measures, the Group Board of Management will even increase the energy bonus to a one-time total of up to 150 euros,” it said.
The financial surcharge is linked to the call to continue saving energy with “creative ideas at work”. “With the energy bonus, we reward activities and want to offer compensation for the rising energy prices,” explained HR Director Martin Seiler. The 200,000 railway workers in Germany are “200,000 creative minds” whose joint effort will make a difference. The group has already mentioned a few ideas in advance: “Whether lighting, heating, refueling or stairs instead of elevators – even small savings add up to a significant amount.”
At least there are no limits to the imagination of the employees, it was said. Except in one respect. In train stations, trains and at the workplaces, a minimum level of brightness is prescribed in many areas for safety and occupational safety reasons: “That’s not going to be shaken.” So passengers don’t have to expect to be driving through Germany in the romantic ICE twilight anytime soon.
