Germany Transport Strike Halts Buses and Trams Across Major Cities

BERLIN, Feb. 2 (GEokHub) — Tens of thousands of public transport workers walked off the job across Germany on Monday, bringing bus and tram services to a standstill in many major cities and leaving commuters stranded amid freezing winter conditions.

The coordinated strike, called by a major trade union representing public transport employees, followed the collapse of negotiations with municipal and state employers over pay and working conditions. Union leaders said talks broke down last week after no progress was made on key demands.

The walkout affected local transport services in roughly 150 cities and towns across nearly all of Germany’s federal states, including major urban centers such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen. It marks one of the largest collective actions in the local transport sector in recent years.

Union officials are pushing for shorter working shifts, longer recovery breaks, and increased compensation for night and weekend duties. Employers, however, argue that city budgets are already under strain and say meeting the demands would significantly increase operating costs.

In several cities, including Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, and Freiburg, bus and tram services were suspended for the entire day. With temperatures falling below zero in many regions, commuters were forced to seek alternative transport, adding to travel disruptions.

National rail services and suburban train lines continued to operate normally, as their staff are not covered by the strike.

Negotiations between labor representatives and employer groups have grown increasingly tense, with union leaders accusing transport authorities of attempting to reduce benefits and extend working hours. In some cities, unions claim proposals would require workers to give up sick pay protections and flexible scheduling to fund system improvements.

The next round of talks is scheduled for February 9. Union leaders have warned that further industrial action is likely if employers fail to present meaningful concessions.