Overview
- Municipal buses, trams and U‑Bahnen began shutting down from early Friday through late Saturday in most regions, while Deutsche Bahn long‑distance and regional trains as well as many S‑Bahnen continue and are expected to be crowded.
- Berlin’s BVG is stopping service for 48 hours until early Sunday, Bremen extends its strike into the night to Monday, and several areas launched actions on Thursday, including Magdeburg and the Burgenlandkreis.
- Niedersachsen is exempt due to a peace obligation through March, and Ver.di in Baden‑Württemberg is holding off for now pending an employer offer expected by Monday.
- Commuters face severe disruptions, with some operators running limited emergency bus schedules, traffic agencies warning of heavier road congestion, and local events such as Friday night games in Augsburg expecting travel difficulties.
- Ver.di is seeking shorter weekly hours, longer rest periods and higher night and weekend surcharges, with further negotiating rounds set in early March and the union warning of additional strikes if key proposals are rejected.