Heed this heads-up, Hesse commuters and rail travelers! The German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) is throwing a wrench in your Friday plans with their warning strike. Prepare for a slew of delays and cancellations on both long-distance and regional services, including suburban trains in the Rhine-Main area. But fear not, streetcars, buses, and subway trains in local public transport will sail through unscathed.
Deutsche Bahn, the railway company at the receiving end of the GDL's wrath, has compiled an online emergency timetable. Affected passengers can dial 08000-996633 for personalized updates regarding their connections. Deutsche Bahn encourages passengers to postpone non-essential trips, and for those planning to brave the rails, advises checking connections ahead of time.
Much like their past strike, Deutsche Bahn intends to maintain around 20% of long-distance services. In regional transportation, however, the scope for service reduction varies as widely as the regional landscapes themselves.
In the DB Central region, which encompasses Hesse, trains will either hit the brakes - running at reduced frequency - or halt completely. For instance, S-Bahn services within the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund fare zone will trudge along at an hourly interval. The signal box dispatchers, too, could join in, thereby potentially impacting other transport companies like Vlexx, Cantus, HLB, or Vias.
At the heart of this conflict is the GDL's demand for a minimum salary hike of 555 euros per month over a 12-month contract period, and an inflation compensation bonus. The union's feet are firmly planted on the demand for a slash in working hours from 38 to 35 hours per week for shift workers, all with full pay. Deutsche Bahn has proposed a rather less generous offer of an 11% pay hike over a 32-month term, coupled with an inflation compensation bonus.
Now, let's dip our toe into the realm of additional insights:
The ongoing wage negotiations between Deutsche Bahn and the EVG union have ignited a heated set of debates. Should an agreement fail to materialize by March 31, 2025, the strike risk escalates, potentially casting a shadow over regional, long-distance, and freight traffic across Germany, including Hesse.
Previously, the EVG union had threatened to go on strike should their demands for a 7.6% pay raise and additional benefits remain unmet. Fortunately, as of February 16, 2025, a new collective agreement has seen the union's flex their muscles - at least for now.
Train cancellations have surged due to infrastructure issues and inadequate maintenance, causing significant concern for passengers and the broader transportation infrastructure in Germany.
During potential disruptions, alternative transportation options include public buses, private vehicles, car-sharing, ridesharing services, cycling, and regional bus services. Lastly, for long-term planning, commuters may want to consider less rail-reliant options like cycling or electric scooters.
