Berlin Faces 48-Hour Public Transit Shutdown Amid Ongoing BVG Labor Dispute

The fourth BVG strike in weeks will halt most buses, U-Bahn, and trams as Verdi pushes for higher wages and better benefits.

• The two-day strike, scheduled for March 19-20, will disrupt nearly all BVG-operated public transit, including U-Bahn, trams, and most buses.
• Verdi is demanding a €750 monthly wage increase and improved benefits, citing inflation and Berlin's low comparative pay for transit workers.
• The BVG has offered a staged €375 increase over 24 months, which Verdi has rejected as insufficient to address workers' financial challenges.
• The strike precedes a critical March 21 negotiation session, with Verdi threatening to escalate to an indefinite strike if no agreement is reached.
• Commuters are advised to rely on unaffected services such as S-Bahn, regional trains, and privately operated bus lines, or explore alternative transport options.

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