faq
The train drivers’ strike has already begun in freight transport, and passenger transport is expected to follow at night. The 35-hour strike is the start of a new “wave strike” strategy by the GDL. What awaits Deutsche Bahn customers now?
It is the GDL’s fifth industrial action in the current collective bargaining dispute – and it should only be the beginning: The train drivers’ union wants to subsequently call for so-called “wave strikes”, which are to take place in stages and unannounced. This means little planning security for rail customers and the company itself, as it is very difficult to set up emergency timetables so quickly.
When exactly will the strike take place?
In passenger transport, the upcoming strike will begin on the night of Wednesday to Thursday at 2 a.m. and end on Friday at 1 p.m., said GDL boss Claus Weselsky. The strike in rail freight transport began this Wednesday at 6 p.m. and is expected to last exactly 35 hours – until Friday at 5 a.m.
After that, further work stoppages are not off the table in the current negotiations – on the contrary. In the future, the GDL even wants to start so-called “wave strikes,” emphasized Weselsky. He left it open whether there would also be strikes at Easter.
How strong are they? restrictions in the Rail transport?
According to Deutsche Bahn, the strike on Thursday and Friday will have a “massive impact” on operations. Up until now, around 20 percent of trains were running in long-distance transport, and the disruption was also severe on regional trains and S-Bahn trains operated by Deutsche Bahn.
What does the train’s emergency timetable look like?
Deutsche Bahn has once again armed itself against the strike with an emergency timetable. As with previous labor disputes, this stipulates that around 20 percent of long-distance trains are in use. “Our passengers can find out in advance whether their train is running or not. We will use particularly long trains in long-distance transport so that as many passengers as possible can reach their destination,” said railway spokesman Achim Stauß in Berlin. There is also an offer in regional transport and S-Bahn, but this will vary greatly from region to region.
On the Deutsche Bahn website it says: “During the strike, DB is offering a basic range of long-distance, regional and S-Bahn services.” The offer can be accessed via the timetable information on www.bahn.de and in the DB Navigator or by calling the strike hotline on 0800-99 66 33. The railway also offers travel information by telephone on 030/2970. DB asks travelers to find out whether their connection is available 24 hours before starting their journey.
When will traffic return to normal?
According to the railway, the restrictions on passenger transport will continue beyond the end of the strike. “Even if the strike ends on Friday at 1 p.m., there will essentially still be the basic range of trains available on Friday,” said a railway spokesman.
However, the prerequisite for this is that the GDL does not spontaneously extend the strike. Such a step would be conceivable because GDL boss Weselsky had declared that in the future he would refrain from making announcements several days in advance and would call for industrial action at much shorter notice.
What effects does the “wave strike” strategy have?
“Wave strikes” mean: many shorter and sometimes spontaneous work stoppages one after the other. “We no longer plan individual strikes Weselsky explained at the beginning of the week. This means that “the railway is no longer a reliable means of transport.” Until now, the GDL had always announced its strikes 48 hours in advance.
This new strategy could catch passengers off guard before they begin their journey. This approach could prevent the railway from being able to create emergency timetables before the start of the strike. Neither the length nor the start of the nationwide “wave strikes” will be known, said Weselsky, and emergency plans “very likely cannot be implemented like this.”
Can travelers take another train?
Yes. “All passengers who bought a ticket for a trip between March 7th, 2024 and March 8th, 2024 up to and including March 4th, 2024 and would like to postpone this due to the GDL strike can use their ticket at a later date,” it says the train. The train connection has now been lifted.
This means you can travel to your planned destination with any other train, even if the route is different than the one originally booked. This also applies to trips from abroad to Germany and vice versa. Seat reservations that are no longer needed can be canceled free of charge at the DB sales point. The railway also points out a goodwill offer: Anyone who has the opportunity to bring their journey forward can travel immediately.
What alternatives are there to traveling with DB?
Private trains such as FlixTrain are not on strike by the GDL and can continue to be used by travelers. A possible alternative is bus connections. Switching to the plane will be difficult this week because of the strikes announced at Lufthansa.
Can travelers return their ticket before the journey?
The tariff/statutory passenger rights apply, so that a ticket refund is also possible under the appropriate conditions. Anyone affected by the rail strike and cannot or does not want to postpone their trip can cancel tickets and seat reservations that have already been booked free of charge and have the entire travel price refunded. This can be done at the DB travel center.
For tickets from the Internet, there is an online application form that can be accessed via your customer account or via the train app. It is also possible to submit an application by post using the passenger rights form.
The ticket price will be 100 percent refunded if the journey is canceled or if rail passengers arrive at the destination station at least 60 minutes late due to the strike and therefore do not even start the journey.
Does the train pay for delays?
Yes. Even during the strike, general passenger rights apply in the event of delays. They stipulate that if there is a delay of 60 minutes at the destination station, rail customers will receive a portion of the fare they paid back: 25 percent of the ticket price for the one-way journey. If the delay is 120 minutes or more, the penalty is 50 percent.
Customers can choose whether they want the delay compensation paid out as a voucher or in money. A corresponding application form is available at the travel center or on the Internet.
Does the railway also compensate travelers? Germany ticket?
Travelers who have a Deutschlandticket or other time travel tickets also receive compensation for delays of 60 minutes or more. This is a flat rate: for long-distance season tickets it is five euros in second class and 7.50 euros in first class. With the Bahncard 100 it is ten euros in second class and 15 euros in first class. For country tickets or cross-country tickets, the compensation is 1.50 euros for second class and 2.25 euros for a first class ticket. 1.50 euros are also available when traveling with the Deutschlandticket.
However: amounts of four euros or more will only be paid out. Therefore, customers may have to “accumulate” several delays until they exceed this limit.
Does the railway pay for a taxi or hotel room?
In two situations, the railway exceptionally provides its passengers with other means of transport such as taxis: If the scheduled arrival time is between midnight and 5 a.m. and the expected delay at the destination station is at least 60 minutes; or if the last scheduled connection of the day is canceled and the destination station can no longer be reached by midnight without a taxi.
If the train does not do this – for example, late at night – customers are allowed to get into the taxi on their own and can then claim the costs from the train. The maximum amount is 120 euros.
If it is not possible or unreasonable to continue the journey on the same day due to a train cancellation or delay, the railway must either provide its customers with overnight accommodation or later reimburse “reasonable accommodation costs”. Passengers must first take advantage of the railway’s overnight accommodation offers before looking for a hotel themselves.
What applies to being late at work?
The employee bears the so-called travel risk. Employees must therefore do everything reasonable to get to work on time. This could mean traveling by car instead of taking the train. The employee must plan for delays that are foreseeable – such as a strike. For example, you have to leave earlier or plan more time for a detour.
If you are still late, this can have consequences under labor law. But there are also limits: For example, it is unreasonable to start your journey to work the day before and spend the night in a hotel. You also don’t have to pay taxi fares that are completely out of proportion to your salary.
Are employees entitled to work from home?
If getting to work is particularly difficult due to strikes or demonstrations, it may make sense to work from home. However, there is no “right to work from home”. Working from home requires the consent of the employer.
Conversely, the employer cannot unilaterally decide that their employees have to work from home. Home office is therefore only possible with mutual agreement. Another option is to take vacation or reduce overtime. Here it is worth talking to your employer to find suitable solutions.
With information from Finn Hohen Schwert and Michael Nordhardt, ARD legal department