Berlin public transport strike

Looks like U-Bahns, Buses and Trams are affected. From Friday 1st Feb 00:00 to Saturday 2nd Feb 15:00. S-Bahns are still running.

Take a look at Reuters for more information.

There is more information (at the moment only in German ) on the BVG website.

As well as what is noted above, be aware that:

"Es muss damit gerechnet werden, dass Busse und Bahnen heute schon um Mitternacht in die Depots zurück gezogen werden und ab Mitternacht der Verkehr ruht."

Which is basically saying that all the busses, U Bahn and trams will be safely in bed by midnight tonight (Thursday) and so practically the system will shut down randomly before midnight.

Also:

"Folgende Buslinien fahren trotz des Streiks:
TXL: Das Unternehmen Bayern-Express & p. Kühn Berlin (BEX) fährt im Auftrag des Landes Berlin am Freitag einen Sonderverkehr im 10-Minuten-Takt vom Hauptbahnhof zum Flughafen Tegel und am Samstag vom Alexanderplatz Ecke Mollstraße über Hauptbahnhof und Turmstraße zum Flughafen Tegel (analog der TXL-Linie)."

If you need to get to Tegel tomorrow (Friday), you will have to get a bus from the Hauptbahnhof. This special service will be extended from Alexanderplatz / Mollstraßse junction and will continue through Hauptbahnhof to include Turmstraße on Saturday.

The following bus lines seem also to be unaffected:
"M32, 107, 115, 136, 161, 163, 168, 175, 184, 188, 204, 218, , 248, 249, 263, 275, 283, 284, 294, 324, 327, 334, 371, 373, 390, 399, X83, 809, 893, 941, 943, 88, 733, 736, 620, 623, 629, 697, 638, 639, 671, N26, N33, N34, N35, N39, N40, N47, N52, N53, N56, N60, N62, N64, N67, N68, N69, N79, N81, N84, N88, N90, N91, N95, N97, N23"

Good luck people.

well thats made my bloody week, i now have to get a cab to work and back

Oh man. I am moving into a new place tomorrow... I only have a backpack, but I need to get from Wollankstrasse (north of Gesundbrunnen) to Kreuzberg (Near Shönelinestrasse). Anyone making that trek by car, by chance, tomorrow? Or, I guess, technichally today? (Friday, Feb. 1)

I would appreciate a ride if you are going that way... I can buy you a coffee for the ride!

If all else fails-take the ring bahn from Gesundbrunnen to Sonnenallee (which should be running).
From there; there may be a bus to Hermanplatz. Or it's a 30 minute walk!

BVG staff who keep Berlin moving should get 6% between now and 2010?
ie an effective pay cut.

The train drivers union GDL won a great victory at DB against falling real wages despite the SPD and despite the much of the trade union establishment.
So all the best to striking BVG workers

calibird - I'd actually recommend getting the s-bahn ring (42/43) round to Hermanstraße, then walk up Hermanstraße, over Hermanplatz, then onto Kottbusserdamm, where you'll find Schönleinstraße. It's quicker than getting off at Sonnenallee.
Also I tried to get somewhere today, somehow not knowing there was a strike on, and it didn't look like there were any busses running around here (I live on Hermanstrasse, and also walked over to Rathaus NeuKölln, but saw nothing).
If you're making the trip before 3pm and fancy a stop off point or some help from Hermanstraße->Schönleinstrase I'll be about, and live close to Hermannstrasse ring station.

I support the striking workers, even if I have to take a cab to get to work!

thanks for the tips guy, I'll figure it out. A hearty walk with a backpack on might do me some good anyway! At least I can test out my pack...

Updated list of busses that seem to be running:

Folgende Tages- und Nachtlinien werden voraussichtlich heute den 1. Februar befahren:

N23 Saatwinkler Damm/Mäckeritzwiesen > U Rohrdamm, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N26 U Seestr. > S+U Zoologischer Garten, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N33 U Alt-Tegel > U Haselhorst, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N34 Hakenfelde, Aalemannufer > Alt-Kladow, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N35 Alt-Kladow > Groß-Glienicke, Gutsstr., Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N39 U Rohrdamm > Hakenfelde, Wichernstr., Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N40 U Turmstr. > Friedrichshain, Wühlischplatz, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N47 S Ostbahnhof > U Hermannplatz, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N52 U Osloer Str. > Niederschönhausen, Pastor-Niemöller-Platz, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N53 Niederschönhausen, Pastor-Niemöller-Platz > Märkisches Viertel, Wilhelmsruher Damm, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N56 U Magdalenenstr. > Wartenberg, > Hagenower Ring > U Magdalenenstr., Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N58 Prenzlauer Promenade/Am Steinberg > S Buch, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N60 S Adlershof > Flughafen Schönefeld, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N62 Bohnsdorf, Waltersdorfer Str./Parchwitzer Str. > Wendenschloß, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N64 Rahnsdorf/Waldschänke > Hessenwinkel, > Dämeritzstr. > Rahnsdorf/Waldschänke, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N67 S Schöneweide > Rahnsdorf/Waldschänke, Einzelfahrten
N68 S Adlershof > Alt-Schmöckwitz, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N69 S+U Wuhletal > Müggelheim, Odernheimer Str., Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N79 S Plänterwald > U Alt-Mariendorf, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N81 U Walther-Schreiber-Platz > Lichtenrade, Nahariyastr., Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N84 (S+U Tempelhof >) > U Alt-Tempelhof > Zehlendorf Eiche, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N88 S+U Rathaus Steglitz > S Lichterfelde Süd, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N90 S+U Wuhletal > Schloßplatz Köpenick, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N91 S+U Wuhletal > Marzahn, Boschpoler Str., Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N95 S+U Wuhletal > Hellersdorf, Riesaer Str., Taktzeit 30 Minuten
N97 Falkenberger Chaussee/Prendener Str. > Marzahn-Nord, Barnimplatz, Taktzeit 30 Minuten

M32 S+U Rathaus Spandau > Havelpark oder > Heidebergplan oder Brunsbütteler Damm, Einzelfahrten
115 Neuruppiner Str. > U Fehrbelliner Platz, Einzelfahrten
161 Schöneiche, Dorfaue > S Erkner, Taktzeit 20 Minuten
168 Alt-Schmöckwitz > Moßkopfring, Taktzeit 20 Minuten
175 S Lichtenrade > Nahariyastr. > S Lichtenrade > (> Lichtenrade, Illigstr. > S Lichtenrade), Taktzeit 20 Minuten
179 U Alt-Mariendorf > Gerlinger Str. Früh-Verstärkerfahrten, Einzelfahrten
184 (S Südkreuz >) > S+U Tempelhof > U Krumme Lanke, Einzelfahrten
188 S+U Rathaus Steglitz > Lichterfelde, Appenzeller Str., Einzelfahrten
204 Schöneberg, Lindenhof > S Südkreuz > (> S+U Zoologischer Garten), Taktzeit 20/10 Minuten
218 U Theodor-Heuss-Platz > Pfaueninsel, Einzelfahrten
248 (U Breitenbachplatz >) > S Südkreuz > S+U Alexanderplatz, Einzelfahrten
263 S Grünau > Bohnsdorf, Waldstr., Einzelfahrten
275 Kirchhainer Damm/Stadtgrenze > S Lichtenrade, Taktzeit 20 Minuten
283 S+U Rathaus Steglitz > S Marienfelde > (> Marienfelde, Daimlerstr.), Einzelfahrten
284 (S+U Rathaus Steglitz >) > S Lankwitz > S Lichterfelde Süd, Taktzeit 20 Minuten
320 U Paracelsusbad > Reinickendorf, Montanstr., Taktzeit 20 Minuten
322 (U Paracelsusbad) > U Rathaus Reinickendorf > Titiseestr., Taktzeit 20 Minuten
324 Alt-Heiligensee > Konradshöhe, Falkenplatz, Taktzeit 30 Minuten
327 U Leopoldplatz > S Schönholz, Taktzeit 20 Minuten
334 (Hohengatow, Waldschluchtpfad >) > Alt-Gatow > Gatow, Habichtswald Bedarf
371 U Rudow > Lieselotte-Berger-Platz > U Rudow, Taktzeit 20 Minuten
373 U Rudow > Hugo-Heimann-Str. > U Rudow, Taktzeit 20 Minuten
380 S+U Rathaus Steglitz > Lichterfelde, Saaleckplatz, Einzelfahrten
390 S Ahrensfelde > Eiche Dorf > Mehrow Kirche > S Ahrensfelde, Taktzeit 60 Minuten
399 S Kaulsdorf > Kaulsdorf, Grottkauer Str. > S Kaulsdorf, Taktzeit 20 Minuten
X83 Königin-Luise-Str./Clayallee > Lichtenrade, Nahariyastr., Taktzeit 20/10 Minuten

809, OVG S Hermsdorf > Berlin, Veltheimstr. > Hennigsdorf, Friedrich-Wolf-Str., Taktzeit 120 Minuten
893, BBG Berlin, Feldmannstr. > S Hohenschönhausen > S Buch > Bernau, Taktzeit 120 Minuten
941, BMO U Hönow > Dahlwitz-Hoppegarten versch.Takte
943, BMO Hönow-Nord > U Hönow > S Hoppegarten versch.Takte
88, SRS S Friedrichsfelde > Schöneiche, Waldstr. > Alt-Rüdersdorf, Taktzeit 60/30/60 Minuten
710, VTF S Buckower Chaussee > Ludwigsfelde, Taktzeit 60 Minuten
711, VTF S Buckower Chaussee > Großbeeren > S Buckower Chaussee, Taktzeit 20/40 Minuten
733, RVS Alt Schmöckwitz > Berlin, Schmöckwitzwerder > S Königs Wusterhausen, Taktzeit 120 Minuten
736, RVS U Johannisthaler Chausee > Buckower Damm/Ringslebenstr. > Flughafen Schönefeld, Taktzeit 60 Minuten
620, HVG S Wannsee > Berlin, Isoldestr. > Kleinmachnow / Teltow, Taktzeit 30 / 10 /30 Minuten
623, HVG U Oskar-Helene-Heim > Berlin, Ludwigsf. Str./Sachtlebenstr. > Teltow / Stahnsdorf, Taktzeit 20/30 Minuten
629, HVG U Krumme Lanke > Berlin, Lloyd-G.-Wells-Str. > Teltow, Taktzeit 20/30 Minuten
697, VIP Neukladower Allee > Alt-Kladow > Neufahrland / Golm, Taktzeit 60 Minuten
638, HVG S+U Rathaus Spandau > Berlin, Ritterdammfeld > S Potsdam Hauptbahnhof, Taktzeit 30/60/120 Minuten
639, HVG S+U Rathaus Spandau > Berlin, Karolinenhöhe > S Potsdam Hauptbahnhof, Taktzeit 120 Minuten
671, HVG Galenstr. > S+U Rathaus Spandau > Berlin, Oberjägerweg > Paaren-Glien / Nauen, Taktzeit 150 Minuten

We are looking at a 10 day strike!!

Ew. Seriously they have been striking on and off for like a year. When is this going to be sorted out?

Honey it's the BVG. There will be no buses, trams or U bahn for 10 days. They say there will be emergency transport but I think the strikers will try to ruin that too. To top it all the GDL are threatening striking if the deal has not been agreed by Friday so we're all fucked.

There is an emergency timetable on the BVG site.

ok, so the weather isn't the best, but I found I could ride from Prenzlauerberg to as far as Steiglitz in under an hour on my bike (and I'm not a fast cyclist)

There are alternatives. At least for a lot of people.

(lots of used bikes from €40 on kijiji and zweitehand.de )

get a bike it cheaper and you dont have wast half your life wait for the bus/train

Here's my thinking - crazy though it is.

Why don't we find a lawyer and do a class action lawsuit against all those unions that are striking - and say that they (the unions) have to refund us the cost of the tickets for each and every day they strike - AND the cost of our use of alternative transportation eg. taxis, DB, etc that we had to buy as an alternative (we have to show that there was no route to get to where we were going other than by taxi,etc.)?

Hell, it would work in the US (I know it's NOT the US) if we could make a significant case - and if ITALY can sue DE so that Parmesian cheese made in DE can't be named Parmesian cheese and win (including fines) then we should be able to do this...

After all, this inconvieniences alot more people AND causes problems for the general economy...

Just my thought from the edge...

~Rose

DB will most likely not be much of a viable alternative from next Monday on ... due to a new round of (unlimited) GDL strikes

I am staying at home on Monday.

UNIONS PILE ON IN GERMANY

Fantastic, way to garner public support for your cause. I can't wait to fly back into Berlin tomorrow morning and be stuck at the airport.

I don't think staff at Berlin's airports are striking tomorrow, but there are strikes at a number of airports, too.

How would this work in the US. I have never heard of such a thing ever being done!

I realize it's an inconvenience. However when strikes happen, they usually happen for a reason. Hence the reason for Unions.
Are you suggesting that Unions be done away with?

I just looked at the Deutsche Welle site, and read about the strike.

I am confused. They made it sound like a "warning strike" was declared. Meaning the strike hadn't yet started. Yet on here, it sounds like everything in Berlin has been shut down since Feb 1st. It is now March 4th, so I am totally lost.

I know strikes are an inconvenience, but they get a message to the public. "We don't get a raise, you don't ride".

It has been done in the States and everywhere else. Unless you live in a dictatorship where strikes are outlawed! I would be complaining to the employer, rather than the employees.

So thats a 15mile bike ride for me on monday then!!

would be tempted to hire a car for the week, but guessing the roads will be busy so would end up taking me longer to get to work! Could also get a taxi, but would 'lose' a couple hours pay a day just to pay for that!!

So let me guess... im cycling 15miles to work on monday... itll be raining then!!! lol

Becasue you don't have a leg to stand on:

You as a passenger have no business relationship with the union.
Your advance purchase of a ticket does buys you the right to travel on available servics, not that the services will be available.
The unions have the right to strike guaranteed by the constitution and regulated by law that is adhered to.

It is a warning strike--but it's still a strike that affects passengers and services. It's a warning to management to present an acceptable offer to the union during the negotiations.
It's a warning of things to come should management not do so.

I don't know where you got the February 1 date, however. The strike in Berlin on the BVG is March 5-March 14.

Quick question:

What do you guys think of this : BVG is striking. All of us fully capable of hiking our bones to a train station, we can afford a cab, or we have a bike. This strike as inconvenient as it is for all us, we are only thinking of ourselves. How do you think this effects elderly people and people with handicaps who cannot clearly manage a long walk, or a bike ride, or afford a cab - in this weather ? Do you think the trade union who organized this strike should be found negligent if any deaths or injuries are caused by their strike, i.e, old lady dies of hypothermia because she was waiting for a bus that never came , or handicap person attempts to get to a platform that does not have access for handicap because it is the closest one etc...

Not a leg to stand on with that argument. either ethicly or before a court of law.
True we should think of others than ourselves.
How about thinking what it's like working to provides services that millions of people rely on every day but hardly having enough money to live on.
We know the concept of working poor from the US and UK, well it's well established in Germany too.

Hi Monks Town - I'm not asking about legalities - I'm asking about opinion. Are you an attorney ? I love your usage of "not a leg to stand on", are you sure of this ?

I don't know if the unions should/could be found negligent in such cases, but you're right in that this affects some people more than others. I respect the fact that workers have the right to strike if their conditions are poor, but all things in moderation. A 10 day strike (and we'll see if it actually lasts that long) is absolutely insane. Not to mention the inconvenience to individuals, but the cost to businesses in Berlin is FAR greater than what the driver's are asking for. The unions AND the BVG should be held responsible for that.

There are legal provisions in Germany that explicitly allow strikes.
I don't think there is a liability issue for ver.di, but I certainly think there is a public image issue.
I support unions, but I don't support warning strikes. Strikes should be used as a last resort measure in cases where the employer is clearly abusing the employees or a contract or bridge contract cannot be reached. In this case, the contract is still in effect, but ver.di isn't happy with the start of the negotiations.

Being one of the 'little guys' (no- not in that way) I fully understand the feeling that senior management is taking the mickey out of employees- especially when their bonuses would probably pay for the pay rise! From what I've read the striking workers have some reasons to feel angry... but they should be angry at their union leaders and their government- change union and vote for someone else. Or- if the job is no longer suitable for them- change jobs.

The only people really suffering are the hard working sods on tiny wages. My girlfriend does not get paid if she doesn't work- she is an intern. And no- walking to walk is not acceptable- it would take well over two hours. People in the private sector often get a raw deal and if they tried to strike (especially in countries with weak unions) and would often lose their jobs. Many people I know get below inflation pay rises (eg. a two cent per hour pay rise- yippee). This strike is an abuse of their power... all parties need to have sensible communication and action. I agree with the above post about striking as a last resort.

To get to the point- this strike has made me lose sympathy for them. My previous employer shipped in cover for striking workers and told them to get stuffed- they wouldnt get anything... 10 days is enough time to get some replacements surely...

Life got THREE PERCENT more expensive in January. THREE PERCENT. Add to that the THREE PERCENT increase in VAT two years ago and now suddenly everyone that lives paycheck to paycheck is effectively making six percent less. Management didn't want to help these people get a raise to just keep the amount they're making level. They have every right to strike. It's always the union's fault but no one ever looks at the greedy douchebag managers - of course not, because the managers fight to ensure their salaries remain secret. You can't whine about what you don't know about.

There's only one treatment for people like you, tar and feathers!

Monkstown - yes, I think most present-day unions have NO place.

Yes, I think that we should have a right to sue the Union.

In some places (namely the US) , Unions such as police, fire, safety/security and public transportation have NO ability to go on strike. Seriously. This is because they are public services, and the general public cannot go without them. It endangers peoples lives and livlihoods - especially that of the elderly and poor.

Yes, there are many people who can afford a taxi, have a bike, or have alternative transport. Sorry, folks. I'm not one of them. If I don't show up at my job, I don't get paid. That's the majority of the world.

I do feel that perhaps the "raises" these folks got is unfair. However, i also look at it with an overview perspective. I didn't get but a 2.5% raise this year. With the raise in Sales tax, a raise in the price of the buses, a raise in rent, gas, phone, etc etc etc - I'm actually making significantly LESS this year than ever. However, if that's the case, then the entire general public should go on strike too.

By their going on strike, they are going to result in additional pay hike to the bus/train/transport system, which will be translated to the general public, which will also affect me - and not just for the 10 days that I'm lacking in transportation methods (subsequently resulting in me having to ride my bike in a snowstorm like today - which could subsequently potentially allowing me to catch pneumonia - which could subsequently result in further problems because of missed work and/or if they're still on strike - me not being able to make it to the doctor... etc etc etc.)

This sort of strike is irresponsible, lacking in good judgement, and I'm sorry, but does NOT have my support.

I'm with you, Hireed - I think that strikes are used as last resorts only after contract negotiations have come to a complete halt. In addition, I think that strikes related to any thing used for general public (meaning police, fire, public transport) should be disallowed due to safety and security concerns.

But then, I'm American - and in the US, garbage workers can go on strike - but police, fire department, ambulence service, (and in major cities where most people don't have cars - subway, bus etc. ) Cannot. Should they do so, then they're all (union officials and participants) able to be prosecuted for public endangerment (and also subject to a class action lawsuit from those endangered) - and can be thrown in jail if there is a court order saying that the strike MUST halt immediately. How do I know this? I used to dispatch 911. When we wanted to strike with the FOP police union, the courts presented us with an injunction - and we were told we would be unable to do so.

Where the heck did you get the idea that public transport in the U.S. can't go on strike? I could name a half dozen cities right off the bat that have striked in recent history, even including New York, where there is actually a law preventing it (the "Taylor law", which the Transport Workers Union decided to ignore two years ago).

Not saying I support or am against it. Just pointing out that it happens there as well.

It happens - but usually there's a court ordered injunction after a matter of a day.

After Years of Patience, the Unions Strike Back

Welcome to Capitalism folks. Sorry, but have you looked at the US top executive CEOs v/s worker salaries?

The richest people get paid more and more and are the richest now than at any other time, while those in "middle income" are barely making inflation. I'm not saying it's right, but that's what's going on.

I am a firm advocate of taxing those at the top more - but it seems like that's not what governments today wish to do.

I just think that instead of going on strike and forcing those of us on the "middle income" just like they are to face the pain of having to pay more, they should be bitching to the government to change the tax structure to work for the low people instead of the high paid. After all, it's not the high paid CEO's that are feeling the penalty (they have cars, and can afford private doctors and so on...)

There most certainly is not. May I refer you to recent strikes at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in Los Angeles, all of which went on for extended periods?


I agree with this except the last paragraph is hopelessly idealistic. Let's face it: it's the government that is actively imposing these measures. There's no doubt in my mind that the Bahn Tarifkonflikt would not be going on if Mehdorn were not on a warpath to privatization, and where is that push coming from? Oh, that's right. And conflicts in public transport? The government is trying to squeeze every penny and nothing will stop them until they have no other choice, sadly. And unfortunately the most powerful tool the unions have at their disposal is to strike, as that puts the pressure on the people which in turn puts pressure on the politicians--in theory, enough that they change course. I don't think it's a good thing but I don't see the alternative. How else should they "bitch" to the government that would be effective?

I'm not happy about it either and I don't necessarily support it either but I don't see the alternative that you seem to be suggesting.

There most certainly has been and still is to an exist in German law this status.
It is called "Beamte".l
You are legally banned from striking, the employee association is legally not even a union.
But the pay off is lower welfare contributions from employees and a "a job for life".

Over the last few years there has been a move against this system from the political right and propoents of neo-liberal policies.
Even the term "Beamte" is a boo-word on here.
So people providing these services are these days, often "just" employees.
And thus with a constitutional right to withdraw their labour.

Will I have to walk to work next week? Maybe.
It's a price worth paying.

Good services. Good staff. Good wages.

Crap, so no u-bahn or s-bahn from today until the 14th?

Actually, no Ubahn, few BVG busses (if any), and no trams.

Starting monday, then maybe no Sbahn.

If the S bahn decides to go on strike do we know how long that will last?

If they go down I'm totally screwed.

Deutsche Bahn is going to publish a temporary schedule tomorrow that they will use in the event of GDL strikes.
The GDL has not announced a timeframe for the length of strike, calling it 'unlimited'.

Was anyone at Ostkruz station yesterday?? There were police holding back crowds of people on the platform, i nearly sufficated on the train... that's public endangerment enough for me!

I live in Rudow, and need to get to the Hbf by 6am on Tuesday, and Tegel airport by 9am next Thursday. It's okay at the moment with just BVG on strike, but if DB and the S-Bahn join in, I've got no hope of making either of them without a taxi (€€€!!!) I'm working on borrowing a bike... it's taking its sweet time though. Does anyone know of a Berlin local equivalent of the Mitfahrzentrale? Or anyone who might be travelling either of those routes at those times, who might be able to help me out?

It was the same at Friedrichstrasse, I waited for 5minutes, then decided to take the tram, only to get outside and realise the whole reason for the delay was that there are no buses/trams/u-bahns running d'oh!

Good call!