Hamburg subways and elevated railway buses are not running today

Hochbahn employees went on a 24-hour warning strike early Wednesday morning. Since 3:00 a.m., underground trains and elevated railway buses have stopped running in Hamburg, as Verdi union secretary Magdalene Waldeck said early in the morning. "We assume that nothing is moving anymore."

It is expected to have a significant impact on commuter traffic and increased congestion on the roads. A replacement service or an emergency timetable is not planned. "This would pose a high safety risk if passengers pushed into overcrowded vehicles or onto platforms hoping for a supposed transport service," Hochbahn explained. Not affected by the warning strike are the S-Bahn trains and the buses operated by Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein (VHH), which also operate some metro bus lines in Hamburg.

With the walkout, the employees want to emphasize their demands for more wages. The third round of negotiations between the Verdi union and Hochbahn is scheduled for Thursday. Verdi is demanding 600 euros more per month for the around 6,000 Hochbahn employees with a twelve-month contract period. In addition, trainees are to receive an additional 258 euros per month and a free professional ticket for local public transport.

For a period of 21 months, the Hochbahn has so far offered an increase in tariffs of 4.5 percent retroactive to January 1, but at least by 150 euros. There should be a further increase of 130 euros from January 1, 2024, as well as a tax-free inflation compensation premium of 3000 euros. "Everyone is super mad at the offer from the employer," said Waldeck.

For everyone who can do that, there is probably a home office day: Hochbahn asks that you refrain from driving on that day and – if that is not possible – if possible switch to S-Bahn and VHH bus lines. Among other things, announcements, the HVV app and hvv.de informed which lines of the Hamburger Verkehrsverbund (HVV) would be served. Christoph Kreienbaum, Hochbahn spokesman, also gave an outlook for Thursday: "As things stand at present, we assume that after the announced end of the warning strike, which ver.di has announced for tomorrow at 3 a.m., we will be able to Train and bus services will resume.”

Since it could be difficult for some students to reach their school, the school authorities have already reacted and announced on Twitter, among other things, that the parents could react appropriately to the respective situation: "Anyone who causes a strike tomorrow at school in Hamburg not reached/reached late, must not be disadvantaged. Parents can deregister their child from their school if the way to school is unreasonable,” it says literally.