Germany's public transport strike leaves cities paralyzed in February 2026

A warning strike in local public transport brought much of Germany to a standstill at the start of February 2026. Subways, trams, and most buses stopped running, leaving commuters stranded. Only a few cities retained limited S-Bahn services, as those lines are managed by Deutsche Bahn instead of local operators.

The strike hit nearly every region except Lower Saxony. In Munich, the MVG advised passengers to seek alternatives like carpooling, home office arrangements, or other transport methods. No specific support from cities or employers was announced beyond these broad suggestions.

With public transport halted, many turned to private cars, leading to severe traffic jams. The union behind the walkout is pushing for shorter work hours, longer holidays, and reduced shift lengths. Employers, however, have called these demands unrealistic and financially unsustainable.

The disruption left thousands scrambling for ways to reach work or appointments. While S-Bahn services remained available in some areas, the strike exposed the reliance on local transport networks. No immediate resolution between the union and employers has been reported.