Image: (APA/dpa/Sebastian Kahnert)
The German train drivers’ union GDL has called on its members to stop work. ÖBB trains that travel via the Deutsche Eck, i.e. from Salzburg to Tyrol or Vorarlberg, are not affected, an ÖBB spokesman said upon request. Long-distance trains to Munich or Frankfurt only run to Salzburg or Passau. Westbahn trains run to Munich.
- nachrichten.at reported: German train drivers are on strike from Thursday evening – failures also occur in Austria
Strike begins at 10 p.m
The strike at Deutsche Bahn (DB) in passenger transport is scheduled to begin this Thursday evening at 10 p.m. and end this Friday evening at 10 p.m. The work stoppage is also being felt in Austria – but not as much as during the recent rail strikes in Germany.
The ÖBB spokesman explained that the fact that traffic across the Deutsche Eck as well as local traffic in the border area near Salzburg and Tyrol was maintained was due to the fact that it was not the infrastructure of Deutsche Bahn that was on strike, but that the train drivers alone carried out a strike. In long-distance transport, however, the Austro train drivers are replaced by German colleagues in Salzburg and Passau – normally, but not in the event of a strike.
Western railway not affected
According to the company, trains from the mostly private Westbahn, which travel to Munich during the strike period, are not affected by the strike by German train drivers. During the week there are five trains that travel to the Bavarian capital, and four on Sundays or public holidays like tomorrow, Friday. Each train has around 500 seats, which can be reserved free of charge up to three hours before departure, said a Westbahn spokesman upon request.
Deutsche Bahn expects disruptions before the warning strike begins, as well as afterwards. During the strike, an emergency timetable with greatly reduced services will apply. In Austria, travelers to Germany are particularly affected on the long weekend because of the St. Mary’s Day. The train connection has been lifted, the railway announced. Reservations can be canceled free of charge.
Freight transport strike from 6 p.m
The employees of Deutsche Bahn, including the S-Bahn operations in Berlin and Hamburg as well as the railway companies Transdev, AKN and City-Bahn Chemnitz as well as other companies, have been called on a warning strike. According to the announcement, the strike in freight transport is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday evening.
The German Locomotive Drivers’ Union (GDL) wants to use the campaign to increase the pressure in the current collective bargaining round. Among other things, she wants to emphasize the demand for a reduction in working hours for shift workers. “The employers are stonewalling everywhere and are not prepared to give the employees the appreciation and recognition they deserve for the work they have done,” criticized the union.
All information about train cancellations can be found here:
- ÖBB homepage
- Westbahn homepage
- Deutsche Bahn homepage
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