On February 2, public transport in Germany will stop again. Almost everywhere.

The strike was called by Ver.di, one of the largest and most influential trade unions in Germany. It represents workers in the service sector, including public transport employees.

 Their demands are, honestly, pretty basic:

• higher wages (because prices have gone up, salaries not so much),
• fewer overtime hours,
• more humane work schedules,
• reduced workload,
• and generally better working conditions.

According to the workers themselves, the system has been running on empty for years: staff shortages, constant stress, responsibility for thousands of passengers every day — without fair compensation.

This is not a small protest:

• around 100,000 workers involved,
• about 150 transport companies,
• 15 out of 16 federal states affected.

 ❗ Lower Saxony is the only exception — there will be no strike there.

 Everywhere else, public transport will either shut down completely or operate with severe limitations. Any timetable that exists should be treated more as a suggestion than a promise.

Important point — no need to panic completely.

 Deutsche Bahn has officially confirmed:

• long-distance trains (ICE, IC, EC) are not part of the strike,
• most regional and suburban trains will also continue running, since their staff are not represented by Ver.di.

 That said, expect:

• overcrowded trains,
• delays,
• tricky connections.

The hardest hit will be:

• 🚋 trams
• 🚇 subways (U-Bahn)
• 🚌 city and regional buses

 Large cities and metropolitan areas will feel it the most, since public transport there is the backbone of everyday life.

To be honest, it’s going to be a challenging day.

 Likely consequences:

• being late for work or school,
• last-minute arrangements for working from home,
• problems with kindergartens and schools,
• massive traffic jams,
• increased demand (and prices) for taxis and car-sharing services.

 If you live in NRW, Bavaria, Hesse, or Berlin — ignoring the strike is a bad idea. The plan of “I’ll just leave as usual” may fall apart very quickly.

A few simple but genuinely helpful steps:

• check your local transport operator’s website,
• find out whether regional trains are running in your area,
• arrange home office if possible,
• plan alternative routes,
• leave earlier than usual,
• team up with colleagues or friends to share rides

In Germany, strikes aren’t chaos — they’re a legal tool for pressure. And the fact that they’re happening more often says a lot:

• severe staff shortages,
• an exhausted system,
• wages that don’t match the real workload,
• a public transport sector under serious strain.

 Yes, it’s inconvenient for passengers. Sometimes very frustrating. But for workers, it’s often the only way to be heard.

📅 February 2, 2026

• 🚫 city public transport disrupted or stopped
• 🗺 almost all of Germany
• 🚆 Deutsche Bahn — not participating
• ⚠ serious travel disruptions likely

The February 2 strike isn’t just “an inconvenient day.” It’s a clear signal of deeper problems in Germany’s public transport system. For passengers, it’s a day that requires extra planning and patience. For workers, it’s a fight for conditions that make the system sustainable at all.