In their attempt to getting a wages rise in light of the overall economical upswing in Germany DB's locomotive drivers are going to go on one day of complete strike in the first week of July. It's said that both the long distance high speed connections from Berlin to Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich (vv.) as well as local and regional trains in the Berlin area will be completely out of order for an entire day in that week. So it looks like Western or Southern connections only would not be affected. DB have implemented a help line for affected travelers. From any public phone (or your mobile) call the toll free number 08000 99 66 33.
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Again, so far it's only one day and only this coming week. Geographically your area should not be affected. IC trains are considered as long distance, ICE as high-speed. The rhine river gorge is usually served by regional trains (only). I will post more information on the affected routes on Monday as the rail labor union said they would share more details then.
Posted by
Burlington, NJ, US
13 posts
Thank you! When I was in Germany last year, I had the benefit of family (from Berchtesgaden) - however, this time, I'll be making my way toward them.
My German growing up was limited to cursing and whatever I could pick up from my grandparent's & mother. :-)
Thanks again,
-Kris
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
So... according to today's news travelers in the Southwest of Germany, in Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern should suffer heavily from the strikes tomorrw, Monday. Affected are all kind of trains from local to high speed. That sound a little different from what was released yesterday.
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Tomorrow, Tuesday July 2nd, there will be a complete network standstill from 5am to 9am due to a locomotive drivers' nationwide strike. It is expected that it'll take until mid-afternoon to dissolve the build-up of delays. If you can, avoid taking trains tomorrow.
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
By the way, what would you do if you were Shell, BP, Exxon in a country where the highly frequented railway system was blocked completely by a strike?... Exactly, gas prices have gone up by 10 cents a liter. And of course those "competing" oil companies all seem to "agree" on that rise...
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
If the departure of your train is delayed by more than 60 minutes due to DB's fault (and a strike falls under DB's liability) you're entitled to a credit voucher of 20% of the regular single fare of the delayed trip. There is a €5 minimum of credit.