Due to the planned strike of Deutsche Bahn, the ADAC expects a strong impact on road traffic. Consumers should reschedule with foresight.
Munich – Due to a planned warning strike, Deutsche Bahn wants to completely suspend all long-distance traffic for around two days from Sunday evening (May 14). The railway and transport union (EVG) had announced a nationwide 50-hour warning strike in long-distance, regional and freight transport in the ongoing wage dispute with Deutsche Bahn.
From Sunday evening at 22 p.m. to Tuesday night at 24 p.m., all ICE and IC trains will remain in the depots, the group announced on Thursday (11 May). In regional transport, too, "there will be no train for the most part during the strike". As a result, millions of people in Germany have to reschedule. The ADAC warns of a high volume of traffic on the roads.
Rail strike in Germany: Numerous people have to reschedule – including motorists
According to a survey, one in five people in Germany is affected by the warning strike in rail transport. According to the report, 19 percent of citizens have to reschedule because of the announced warning strike in rail transport. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, as many as 35 percent are affected. In a Yougov survey, 3021 adults in Germany were interviewed on May 11, 2023. The results were weighted and, according to the information, are representative of the German population aged 18 and over.
| Nationwide warning strike | |
| Who? | Deutsche Bahn |
| When? | from Sunday, May 14, 22 p.m. to Tuesday evening, May 16, 24 a.m. |
| What? | Long-distance, regional and freight transport |
Motorists are also affected by the rail strike. According to ADAC, you have to be prepared for more traffic at the beginning of the week. The recent rail strikes have shown that the streets in the cities were extremely crowded, especially at the peak of commuter traffic, said ADAC spokesman Florian Heuzeroth. However, according to his forecast, this time it will not be as drastic as at the end of March, when employees of the municipal transport companies went on strike at the same time.
Warning strike by Deutsche Bahn: Inform about the traffic situation before starting the journey
Many commuters and travelers dependent on the railways would now look for alternatives, Heuzeroth said. In addition to traveling by car instead of train, this could also be to switch to the home office or take a vacation day. In addition, car-sharing services are likely to be in high demand and may be fully utilized. If you can't postpone your trip or your journey by car, you have to plan a lot of time. The experts at the ADAC recommend that you inform yourself about the current traffic situation by radio or Internet before starting your journey.
Due to the renewed rail strike, the ADAC expects traffic disruptions and full streets at the beginning of the new week. (Symbolic image) © Marijan Murat/dpa
Obstructions had been observed in the recent warning strikes of the railway, especially in cities, Heuzeroth explained. However, a number of construction sites have been added there in the meantime. At the beginning of the week, drivers may also have to plan more time. (hg/dpa)
