Major disruption in Berlin: Verdi initiates city-wide BVG transport strike on Monday
Straight-Up: Berlin's Transport Meltdown: Verdi Invokes Monday's Full-Day BVG Strike
prepare yourselves, Berliners, it's gonna be a pain in the butt on Monday. The public transport workers at BVG are ready to lay waste to your commute, as they've announced a citywide, 24-hour strike starting Monday at the crack of dawn. This hassle is due to a disputed wage issue between union Verdi and BVG's board, leaving buses, trams, and U-Bahns helpless victims.
This showdown kicks off early Monday and won't end until Tuesday at 3am, but the repercussions will likely linger long after. Most BVG services like buses, trams, and U-Bahns will be out of commission, but some subcontractor buses might still be rolling.
With BVG services shut down, prepare for gridlock on the city's roads, even cycling lanes and pedestrian paths. Key chokepoints will be at Alexanderplatz, Ostkreuz, and major routes like Karl-Marx-Straße and Hindenburgdamm. The city recommends allowing extra travel time and keeping up with real-time traffic updates.
Verdi claims the strike is a response to the BVG board's stalling tactics during negotiations. Verdi is demanding a 750 euros raise, a 13th month salary, and increased perks, totaling 250 million euros yearly. BVG calls the demands unrealistic, citing fiscal limitations, but Verdi counters that Berlin is scraping the bottom of the barrell when it comes to pay. Talks will resume on January 31, but Monday's strike spells mounting tension.
Monday looks like a headache waiting to happen. Plan alternate routes or perhaps, take a day off.
BVG Strike Wisdom:When the BVG calls it quits on their strike days, the go-to alternatives usually include:
- Regional trains (S-Bahn), run by Deutsche Bahn and usually unaffected by BVG strikes.
- Bicycles and e-scooters for shorter stretches.
- Taxi services and ride-sharing apps.
- Walking if the journey's feasible.
- Temporary shuttle bus services set up by the city or transport authorities (if announced).
For specifics on January 24, double-check Berlin transport websites or news archives from that time. Keep an eye on the ball, Berliners!
On Monday, as public transport services grind to a halt, consider opting for alternatives such as regional trains, taxis, e-scooters, bicycles, or walking, while keeping an eye out for potential shuttle bus services. Given the 24-hour transport strike, finance-heavy industries in Berlin might face disruptions, needing to account for delays or re-routing their transportation needs accordingly.
