A step device for a rail vehicle includes a step platform, a housing from which the step platform is extendable and retractable again, and a regulating unit for controlling the extension and retraction movement of the step platform. The step platform includes a plurality of step contact segments which, when subjected to pressure, generate signals which are transmitted to the regulating unit. The step contact segments are disposed at predefined distances greater than zero with respect to one another on the step platform in such a manner that an object of predefined minimum contact area with the step platform subjects at least two directly adjacent step contact segments to pressure, and the regulating unit is configured in such a manner that a relevant object is recognized only when signals of two directly adjacent step contact segments are transmitted.