Nationwide Public Transport Strike to Halt Buses and Trams Across Germany on Monday
A large-scale strike is set to disrupt public transport throughout Germany on Monday, affecting buses, underground trains, and trams in nearly every federal state except Lower Saxony. The industrial action, organized by the trade union Verdi, targets 150 transit companies, including major operators in cities such as Munich and Berlin. Passengers across both rural and urban regions should anticipate significant service reductions and disruptions.
Key urban centers, including Augsburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, and Regensburg in Bavaria, as well as Stuttgart and Karlsruhe in Baden-Württemberg, will be impacted. In North Rhine-Westphalia alone, the strike will involve approximately 40 municipal transport companies, causing widespread suspension of local transit services in cities like Düsseldorf, Cologne, Duisburg, Gelsenkirchen, and Dortmund.
The current round of wage negotiations is especially complex due to the existence of separate collective agreements in each federal state. Verdi aims to establish a unified nationwide agreement to standardize working conditions for public transport employees. The union questions why bus drivers in one city should have different employment terms than those in another and is pushing for harmonized standards across the country.
During the strike, most municipal buses, trams, and underground lines will cease operation unless operators implement emergency schedules. For example, Munich will activate a contingency plan, which will see a reduced frequency of some subway and tram services. Regional S-Bahn trains and privately operated bus lines will not be affected, and in cases where municipal operators collaborate with private companies, some buses may continue to run.
Verdi first outlined its demands in November, but negotiations have made little progress. The public transport sector is among the industries most affected by staff shortages, with around 80,000 positions currently vacant and high rates of employee absenteeism. These staffing challenges often result in daily service cancellations.
The union emphasizes that public transport workers face significant strain, including irregular hours, shift work, and constant time pressure. Verdi is advocating for improved working conditions to address high employee turnover and to make the sector more attractive to new hires. Proposals include shorter maximum shift lengths, extended rest periods, and, where applicable, reductions from standard 39-hour workweeks. Additional compensation for night and weekend shifts is also among the union's demands.
Transport companies, however, argue that the requested improvements would impose unsustainable costs. For instance, Berlin's main public transport operator, BVG, estimates that the union's demands would add approximately 150 million euros in annual personnel expenses, which they say exceeds budgetary limits. Company representatives urge the union to consider the financial realities of operating publicly funded services and to seek collaborative solutions at the negotiating table.
Municipal transport providers in North Rhine-Westphalia highlight the fragile financial situation facing public transit. Meeting union demands, they argue, could necessitate reduced service frequency, route closures, or increased reliance on private bus companies. In some regions, such as Bavaria, negotiations also include wage increases. While Verdi is seeking a 670-euro monthly raise for employees, many companies are only offering significantly lower amounts. Disagreements also persist over weekly working hours, with the union advocating for a 35-hour week and some operators proposing increases to 42 hours, albeit with lower additional pay for overtime.
Verdi maintains that failing to improve pay and working conditions threatens the future of public transit, which millions of people rely on daily. The union hopes the nationwide strike will draw attention to the urgent need for sector-wide reforms. Company representatives acknowledge the financial difficulties but stress the importance of balancing employee interests with sustainable service provision.
Beyond immediate labor issues, the union also calls on federal and municipal authorities to increase investment in public transport. According to Verdi, the sector not only supports the mobility of millions but also plays a crucial role in meeting climate protection targets. Expanded and well-funded public transport is seen as essential for reducing private car use and lowering emissions. The union believes that with sufficient investment, public transport capacity could be significantly increased in the coming years.