Public transportation across Cologne will face significant disruptions on Friday, February 7, 2025, as the Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe (KVB) go on strike following wage negotiations with the Verdi union. The strike, which will last for 24 hours, is set to begin at 3 AM and end at the same time on Saturday, February 8.
This latest action is part of wider labor disputes affecting the public sector across Germany. The Verdi union has called on its members to participate due to the lack of satisfactory results from recent negotiations, which concluded without agreement on January 24. Verdi is demanding wage increases of 8%, with at least 350 Euros additional compensation per month.
On February 7, commuters can expect no tram services across the city, with all KVB Stadtbahn lines remaining inactive. Bus services will also be severely limited, as only select routes run by subcontractors will be operational. KVB officials recommend checking their digital schedule for specific bus services, as many bus lines will not be running.
The strike will also affect lines 16 and 18, which operate between Cologne and Bonn, as these lines are jointly managed by the KVB and local Bonn transportation services. Customers should be aware of the closure of all KVB customer service centers and sales outlets on strike day.
Despite these disruptions, alternative transportation options are available. The Deutsche Bahn, along with regional and S-Bahn services, will continue to operate as normal, allowing commuters to use these services to reach their destinations. Tickets for KVB customers will be valid on these alternate services within the transport associations covering the area.
Another option includes the use of e-scooter services, with increased availability anticipated during the strike. Lime, one of the popular e-scooter rental companies, expects heightened demand on Friday and plans to have more vehicles available at key transport hubs throughout the city.
With significant numbers of students affected, many schools have already informed parents about the strike. Schools are expecting students to find alternative transportation to attend classes on this day, as it coincides with the distribution of half-year report cards, which may prompt earlier dismissals at some institutions.
The outages brought on by the strike place added pressure on parents and guardians to arrange carpools or other means of transport for their children, demonstrating the wide-reaching impact of labor disputes on daily life.
Verdi's statements underline the urgency of the situation: “Our demands are clear; we need to see meaningful wage increases to match the current cost of living,” they affirmed. The impending negotiations are set to continue on February 17 and 18, 2025, with hopes for resolution but also considerable public pressure building among commuters who rely on KVB services daily.
Those who normally depend on the KVB will need to stay vigilant on February 7, continuously checking schedules and planning their routes carefully to navigate the disruptions this strike will cause.
All indicators suggest this strike will be significant not just for the workers involved, but for the entirety of Cologne's public transport ecosystem—highlighting the intertwined nature of labor negotiations and public service availability.