Two tough days have started for rail travelers and commuters. A strike by the train drivers’ union GDL largely paralyzes the passenger transport of Deutsche Bahn. The replacement plan has started, said a railway spokesman. “The first effects of the strike are being felt,” he said.
Although the GDL was not available for information during the night, the passenger trains in many stations stood still in the morning, platforms were empty, as photos showed. “Train is canceled” was often seen on the display boards for various travel destinations. The walkout was supposed to start at 2:00 a.m. The union has been on strike in the freight transport sector since the evening.
Thousands of passengers have to improvise, substitute timetables apply. In long-distance traffic, around every fourth train should still run. There are also likely to be considerable failures in regional traffic and on the S-Bahn. The strike is due to end on Friday night.
The railway asked passengers to postpone journeys that were not absolutely necessary. Because of the corona virus, she also called for consideration on the trains. The strike hits the passengers in the middle of the busy holiday season: In eleven of the 16 federal states there are school holidays. Cross-border connections and night travel are also affected.
Restrictions are also possible for rail competitors
Bahn personnel director Martin Seiler described the strike as “completely inappropriate and excessive”. GDL boss Claus Weselsky referred to the unresolved collective bargaining conflict. “With this first signal, the management must realize that eating cherries is not good with us.” The passenger association Pro Bahn called for reliable information to be provided to rail customers. “Nothing is more annoying than waiting for a train during a strike that doesn’t go wrong.”
Competitors of Deutsche Bahn are not on strike. They have considerable market shares in regional and freight transport. However, restrictions are also possible with them if dispatchers also join the GDL strike.