Passengers across parts of Baden-Württemberg are facing three days of major bus and train disruption this week due to a strike affecting SWEG transport. School services are also expected to be hit.
Public transport users in parts of Baden-Württemberg face fresh disruption this week as trade union Verdi stages another warning strike at Südwestdeutsche Landesverkehrs GmbH (SWEG).
The walkout runs from Wednesday, September 30th to Friday, October 2nd and is expected to affect both bus and rail services in parts of the state.
Unlike earlier strikes this month, which mainly hit bus services, the latest action is also expected to disrupt train operations, potentially affecting commuters, students and other passengers across southern Baden and beyond.
SWEG warned that passengers should use alternative transport providers or postpone journeys where possible.
How will transport users in Baden-Württemberg be affected by the strike?
The strike is expected to bring widespread disruption to SWEG-operated bus services from Wednesday to Friday (inclusive).
Significant cancellations are forecast in the areas of Weil am Rhein, Müllheim, Endingen, Emmendingen, Lahr, Offenburg, Schutterwald, Kehl, Gammertingen, Wiesloch, Sinsheim, Dörzbach and Lauda-Königshofen.
For many families, one of the biggest impacts will be on school transport. SWEG says its school bus services are expected to be suspended during the strike period and that replacement transport cannot be organised. Parents will therefore need to make alternative arrangements for school journeys.
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Passengers should also be aware that timetable information may not be reliable during the strike. According to SWEG, employees responsible for reporting cancellations to websites, apps and digital displays are also expected to take part in the industrial action.
Rail passengers will also face disruption. SWEG says no trains are expected to run on the following routes during the three-day strike:
- Bad Krozingen to Münstertal
- Achern to Ottenhöfen
- Biberach to Oberharmersbach
- Hechingen to Gammertingen
In addition, the strike is expected to affect some services operated by other rail companies because SWEG train control centres are involved in the walkout.
These include the Endingen to Gottenheim route, which is operated by DB Regio, and the Gammertingen to Engstingen to Schelklingen route on the Schwäbische Alb-Bahn.
SWEG has also warned of possible service restrictions, including shorter trains, on routes connecting Tübingen, Hechingen, Albstadt, Sigmaringen, Aalen, Munderkingen and Ulm.
Not all services will be affected. SWEG says trains are expected to continue running on routes including Freiburg to Elzach, Offenburg to Strasbourg, Offenburg to Bad Griesbach, Offenburg to Freudenstadt and Hausach to Hornberg.
Why is the strike taking place?
The latest walkout is part of an ongoing dispute between the Verdi union and SWEG. It follows two previous warning strikes in September.
One of the union’s main demands is stronger protection for bus drivers whose jobs could be affected when transport contracts are retendered.
“Employers have not responded to the two warning strikes held so far,” Verdi negotiator Frederike DeCoite said, explaining why the union had decided to intensify the dispute.
SWEG rejects that assessment and has described the strike as excessive. Group managing director Thilo Grabo said: “Verdi is bringing an unnecessary level of tension to the ongoing negotiations,” adding that proposals are already on the table and discussions are continuing.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: thelocal.de
