Verdi Strikes Paralyze Public Transport Across Hamburg and Bavaria This Week

The Verdi union has escalated its actions with strikes severely disrupting public transportation across multiple German regions in February 2026. On Wednesday in Hamburg, a 24-hour strike brought all U-Bahn services to a complete halt, forcing commuters to seek alternative means of transportation. This strike follows an earlier one in early February and highlights ongoing tensions over wage negotiations with Hochbahn, the city's public transport operator. Verdi demands include a 7.5% wage increase and a €200 rent subsidy specifically for apprentices.

Meanwhile, Bavaria braces for widespread disruptions with planned strikes in four cities over Thursday and Friday. Augsburg will see strikes on Thursday, while Regensburg faces two days of public transport shutdowns. Passau and Landshut will experience strikes on Friday. In all these cities, buses and trains will stay in depots, halting all public transit services for the strike days.

These measures underscore Verdi's firm stance in labor demands amid tariff negotiations, affecting daily commuters' routines significantly. The repeated strikes in Hamburg and the expanding strike schedule in Bavaria underline the intense conflict between union workers and transportation management, reflecting broader challenges in Germany’s public transit sector.

As the strikes continue, commuters across affected regions are advised to seek alternative transportation and brace for ongoing disruptions until a resolution is reached.