Read the video transcript here
Hardly anything is still running on Germany's rails.
The union of German locomotive drivers started its announced strike in passenger traffic on Thursday.
Especially in metropolitan regions like here in Cologne, travelers were stranded at the train station.
"I'm starting my rehab today. And now I have to see how I get there. Change four or five times, luggage with me. I think it could have been arranged differently."
"Not good. What should I do, but I'm a commuter, I take the train every day. It's important to me, actually."
Deutsche Bahn made a new offer to the train drivers on Wednesday evening, including a corona bonus of up to 600 euros and a term of the collective agreement of 36 months instead of the previous 40 months.
Claus Weselsky, Chairman of the GDL
:
"I have good news and bad news. The good news is: The offer from Deutsche Bahn AG is the best offer we have received so far because it shows how this management is proceeding against the GDL. The bad news is that the strike is being carried out and that you, my dear colleagues who have gathered here, need not be afraid that we will commit treason and sacrifice the interests of our members to some element that will at the end of the day maybe good for the individual, but never for the community. "
So the train drivers will continue on strike, for the third time in four weeks. Until September 7th at 2 a.m., travelers have to expect train cancellations and delays. Until then, the railway wants to secure at least a quarter of the long-distance traffic with a replacement timetable - and is now trying to legally stop the strikes with an urgent application to the labor court in Frankfurt am Main. A decision is expected on Thursday evening.