Berlin is bracing for significant disruption as the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) prepares for another warning strike, starting early Wednesday, March 19, 2025. The strike, scheduled to begin at 3 AM and lasting until 3 AM on March 21, will impact nearly all bus, tram, and U-Bahn lines, leaving commuters scrambling for alternatives.
The strike arises amid protracted contract negotiations, where the Verdi union is demanding an increase of 750 euros per month for its 16,600 members at the BVG. This demand is set against the backdrop of rising living costs, which Verdi argues necessitate fair compensation to address the financial strain on workers’ households. According to Verdi’s negotiating leader, Jeremy Arndt, the financial offer from the BVG is insufficient, stating, "The financial offer from the BVG is completely inadequate and ignores the massive price increases with which our colleagues daily struggle."
During this 48-hour walkout, most public transport operations will be significantly scaled back. Exceptions will be made for select ferry services and the Muva shuttle service, but for the most part, services will remain docked. The BVG will implement an emergency schedule featuring limited bus services on certain lines including 106, 114, 118, and 204, aimed primarily at connecting those living at the outskirts to S-Bahn stations.
Lines 112, 124, 184, and several others will operate with restricted services, and commuters are advised to check real-time updates via the BVG app or website before traveling. Despite the limited bus service, the S-Bahn and the regional trains will function normally, offering some relief to those who can reach the stations.
It is expected this strike will lead to increased congestion on the roads, as many commuters, faced with limited public transport options, take to their cars. Analysts are predicting fuller streets and high demand for taxis and ridesharing services. Already, the A115 between Kleinmachnow and Spanische Allee is undergoing roadworks which will restrict traffic to one lane till Autumn 2026. This could exacerbate the usual rush hour chaos.
The BVG, meanwhile, has expressed frustration over the planned strike. Jenny Zeller-Grothe, the personnel chief for BVG, highlighted the necessity of negotiation: "Negotiation means moving toward each other. Now it’s Verdi’s turn to bring a compromise proposal to the table instead of sticking to maximum demands. The ball is with Verdi."
Prior negotiations saw the BVG respond with an offer including a retroactive increase of 240 euros starting January 1, 2025, with additional raises possible by March 2026. Currently, bus drivers at BVG possess starting salaries of approximately 2,806 euros gross per month, complemented by various bonuses for night, weekend, and holiday work as well as other benefits including holiday pay and 30 days’ vacation. While the BVG argues it is constrained by financial restrictions, the Verdi union maintains this is insufficient to afford workers their just compensation.
Comparatively, other German public transport authorities such as those in Dresden and Potsdam boast higher starting salaries for bus operators. The Dresden transport authority, for example, offers around 3,100 euros per month, prompting questions about the competitiveness of BVG's offers. Arndt added, "The recent proposals presented are not adequate to properly honor the hard work of employees," highlighting the urgency of the wage negotiations as inflation remains high.
With the pending negotiation slated for March 21 coinciding with the final day of the strike, there is great uncertainty about the outcome. Should talks fail again, Verdi has hinted it might escalate the situation, potentially signaling indefinite strike action if 75 percent of its members agree during planned votes. "We are prepared to secure the rights of our members with sustained action if necessary," Arndt asserted.
This warning strike marks yet another chapter in what has been highlighted as the fourth dispute this negotiation season, stressing the deepening tensions between the union and the BVG management. If the pattern holds true, the impending days will see heightened traffic disturbances and significant challenges for commuters across Berlin as they navigate the congested landscapes left by the transit storm.
While the situation is fluid, the community remains hopeful for resolutions, as both sides are again set to converge for discussions shortly after the strike ends on Friday. The stakes are high, and the outcome could sway the future of public transport satisfaction and service reliability throughout the capital.