Berlin's Public Transit Faces Criticism Over Service Cuts and Labor Disputes

Opposition parties accuse the Berlin Senate of mismanaging public transit, while the transport senator defends the system as well-funded and high-performing.

Berlin's transport senator, Ute Bonde, claims the city's public transit system is the best in Germany, with 95% of residents living within five minutes of a stop.
Opposition parties, including the Greens and the Left, criticize service reductions, delays, and poor working conditions, labeling the situation a crisis.
The Greens accuse the Senate of neglecting necessary investments in infrastructure, calling promises of new U-Bahn lines unrealistic without proper funding.
The BVG has faced declining punctuality and ongoing service disruptions, with tram punctuality dropping to 86.8% and U-Bahn service cuts expected to persist until late 2025.
Labor disputes, including recent strikes, highlight tensions over wages and working conditions, though Bonde asserts that the BVG remains an attractive employer with rising application numbers.