Massive Disruptions and Delays in Train Services in Germany
From Wednesday to Monday, passengers of the Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) should expect significant train cancellations and delays, with the Berlin S-Bahn also heavily affected. The strike is scheduled to begin on Wednesday morning at 2 am and last until Monday evening at 6 pm. There may also be disruptions before and after the strike. Passengers are advised to use alternative means of transportation.
Strike by the GdL Union
The train services of the Deutsche Bahn, both for passengers and goods, will be affected by the strike announced by the locomotive drivers’ union, GdL.
No Direct Impact on Berlin’s Public Transport
The strike measures in the rail transport will not directly affect the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), the city’s public transport system. Buses, trams, subways, and ferries operated by BVG will be running on all lines from Wednesday to Monday. However, passengers should still anticipate crowded vehicles and longer waiting times.
Modified Schedules and Alternative Transportation
The Deutsche Bahn will operate according to an emergency timetable, which will be published in the timetable information. For regional train services, selected trains and buses will be used as substitutes during specific times. These schedules are available up to 23 hours in advance in the VBB timetable information and VBB app. Passengers are advised to check the current status of their connections shortly before departure. Detailed information about which lines/routes will have train and bus services during the strike can be found on the website Aktuelle Verkehrsmeldungen - Schienenersatzverkehr. The Berlin S-Bahn will also have an emergency timetable with significantly reduced services on some routes. The timetable will be published on the website sbahn.berlin and included in the itinerary information up to 23 hours in advance. Passengers should check their connections shortly before departure for the most up-to-date information. Please refer to the websites Aktuelle Verkehrsmeldungen - Schienenersatzverkehr, Ihr Bahnportal für Brandenburg und Berlin, sbahn.berlin, odeg.de, neb.de, and hanseatische-eisenbahn.de, as well as the online timetable information and apps for the latest updates. We recommend postponing non-essential trips. Expect delays and disruptions even after the strike ends, as personnel and trains need to be reorganized according to the regular schedules.
Changes to Train Services and Ticket Policies
According to the Deutsche Bahn, a reduced service will be provided during the strike in long-distance train travel. “For these journeys, the DB will operate longer trains with more seats to accommodate as many people as possible. However, a seat cannot be guaranteed,” says the Deutsche Bahn. There will be significant disruptions in regional and S-Bahn train services. Passengers affected by the strike can use their tickets at a later date. Seat reservations can be canceled free of charge, and train journeys can also be brought forward, with the ticket price fully refunded. Note on train tickets: From January 24, 2024, 00:00 until January 29, 2024, 21:00, all tickets with the imprint “Berlin” (including those without the “Berlin+City” imprint) from Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG), the Deutschlandtarif, as well as international tickets, will be accepted on all BVG vehicles in the Berlin ABC fare area.