Munich, March 22 – A warning strike called by the Verdi trade union has brought public transport in Munich to a near standstill today, affecting thousands of commuters and football fans. As of 11 AM, subway, bus, and tram services were largely suspended, though a limited emergency network is in operation.
Emergency Services Implemented Amidst Strike
The strike, which began at 11 AM, saw U-Bahns, buses, and trams initially cease operations. However, a basic level of service has been put in place. According to the MVG (Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft), subway trains are running at least every ten minutes on the following routes:
- Fürstenried West – Brudermühlstraße – Sendlinger Tor – Marienplatz – Münchner Freiheit – Fröttmaning
- Harthof – Scheidplatz – Hauptbahnhof – Sendlinger Tor
Approximately two-thirds of buses are in service across the city to ensure basic coverage on all lines, though the MVG warns of potential irregularities. The Tram line 20 is also operating every ten minutes until 6 PM, with a 20-minute frequency possible until 11 PM.
Impact on FC Bayern Champions League Match
The strike coincides with an FC Bayern Champions League match at the Allianz Arena this evening. To mitigate disruption for fans, the MVG has prioritized the subway section between the city center and Fröttmaning. Additionally, FC Bayern is providing free shuttle buses from 5:30 PM between the S-Bahn station Donnersbergerbrücke and the Kieferngarten stop. Private bus companies have also been contracted to offer additional services. Passengers are advised to travel individually if possible, depart early, and exercise patience.
Strike Expands Across Bavaria
The Verdi strike is set to expand significantly on Thursday, affecting eight Bavarian cities in total, including Nuremberg, Augsburg, Regensburg, Bamberg, Bayreuth, Passau, and Landshut. The specific impact will vary by city.
In Augsburg, the strike will be limited to workshop staff from Friday onwards, with public transport expected to run without major disruptions. Regensburg and Bayreuth will also see regular service resume on Friday.
Nuremberg, however, is expected to experience considerable restrictions, particularly on Friday, with the strike continuing until the weekend. Passau will face the most severe impact, with public transport halted for three days, from Thursday morning until Saturday evening, with regular service resuming Sunday morning.
Background to the Strike
The industrial action stems from ongoing, stalled collective bargaining negotiations in public transport. The S-Bahn, regional trains, and regional bus lines of the Munich Transport and Tariff Association (MVV) are not affected by the strike.
The MVG had previously announced that subway and tram services would be gradually scaled down from 9 AM, with the emergency network coming into effect at 11 AM. Vehicles were returned to depots by 9 AM to avoid being stranded on routes when the strike commenced.
The Verdi union’s call for a warning strike aims to pressure employers to meet their demands in the ongoing wage negotiations for public transport employees across Germany.
