Verdi has called a nationwide warning strike in the public transport sector, and on Monday 2 February 2026 the Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG) is operating with only minimal services in Munich.
Service Situation on Monday
U‑Bahn: All underground lines remain suspended for the rest of the day “aus Sicherheitsgründen”.
Tram: Only line 20 (Stachus – Moosach) runs, initially in a ten‑minute interval and now extended until about 20 o’clock.
Bus network: Services continue but are irregular. Some routes run every 20–30 minutes, even as others have gaps of 40 minutes to an hour.
- Lines typically every 20–30 minutes: X30, X35, X36, X80, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58/68, 59, 60, 62, 63, 132, 135, 142, 143, 145, 150, 151, 153, 154, 157, 160, 161, 162, 164, 168, 174, 176, 180, 181, 182
- Lines with larger gaps (40 minutes to hourly): 100, 130, 134, 136, 139, 140, 141, 144, 149, 155, 158, 159, 163, 165, 166, 167, 170, 171, 172, 173, 175, 177, 178, 179, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199
Chronology of MVG Updates
06:20 uhr: MVG announces full U‑Bahn and tram shutdown, advises passengers to use alternative transport, car‑pooling or home office. S‑Bahn and regional buses are not affected.
06:54 uhr: A Verdi spokesperson reports that the strike began at 03:30 uhr and describes the mood as “sehr gut, Aufbruchstimmung”.
06:56 uhr: Tram line 20 is confirmed to run every ten minutes until about 13 uhr.
07:29 uhr: Tram driver Michael Baumann participates in the strike, emphasizing his fight for better working conditions.
07:54 uhr: Traffic congestion rises as many commuters switch to cars, as shown by Google Maps data.
08:53 uhr: MVG reports buses stuck in traffic; service frequencies remain as listed above.
10:24 uhr: Verdi’s deputy district chief Sinan Öztürk warns that further strikes are possible ahead of the next bargaining round on 13 February.
13:02 uhr: Mid‑day check: all U‑Bahn lines still out of service; tram only line 20 runs until roughly 19 uhr; buses continue with the irregular timetable.
13:44 uhr: Final update confirms U‑Bahn stays closed for the day; tram line 20 extended to about 20 uhr; some trams run without passengers to preserve overhead lines clear of ice.
Verdi’s Demands
Verdi expects a high participation rate and says “im Fahrdienst kaum jemand arbeitet”. The union calls for a monthly wage increase of €668.75, a reduction of weekly work time from 38.5 to 35 hours with full pay, higher Sunday premiums and a guaranteed eleven‑hour rest period. The Kommunale Arbeitgeberverband Bayern calls the demands “realitätsfern” and proposes a stepwise 5 % salary rise.
Tarifverhandlungen
Negotiation Timeline
After the failed January bargaining round, nationwide warning strikes have been announced. Public‑service talks are slated for 11 – 12 February 2026 in Potsdam, with ÖPNV talks in Bavaria resuming on 13 February 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which transport services are affected by the strike?
All MVG lines – U‑Bahn, tram and city buses up to line 199 – are subject to the strike. S‑Bahn and regional buses, operated by Deutsche Bahn, continue to run.
What does MVG recommend passengers do?
MVG advises commuters to use alternative modes, form car‑pools or, where possible, work from home.
What are Verdi’s key demands for public‑transport employees?
Verdi seeks a €668.75 monthly pay rise, a reduction of the weekly working week to 35 hours with full pay, higher Sunday allowances and a guaranteed eleven‑hour rest period.
How might the ongoing negotiations shape Munich’s public transport in the weeks ahead?
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