Since early this morning, warning strikes in local transport have caused considerable disruptions in nearly all German states, primarily affecting bus and train services. The largest German local transport company, the Berlin Transport Services, reported strikes starting at 3 AM, as confirmed by Verdi negotiation leader Serat Canyurt to the dpa news agency last night. The strikes are expected to last for 48 hours, with buses, trams, and subways remaining in depots until service resumes on Sunday morning.

This strike action is anticipated to have a major impact, especially on commuters and students who rely on public transport to reach their destinations. Many have been forced to seek alternative transportation due to the lack of available services, with some local transport companies already announcing emergency service plans to help mitigate the disruption. The protests highlight ongoing labor disputes and concerns among employees regarding working conditions and pay.

In addition to Berlin, transport workers in Hesse have also downed tools, further contributing to the widespread transport challenges faced by residents. The situation underscores the precarious state of local public transport in Germany and the urgent need for resolution in labor negotiations to avoid future interruptions in service that can significantly affect daily life and work for many citizens.