Jena, March 11, 2026. The trade union Verdi is currently striking public transport (ÖPNV) in large parts of Thüringen. Until Thursday morning, passengers in the Free State must expect massive cancellations of buses and trams.
- Event: Large-scale warning strike in Thüringen local transport
- Caller: Service trade union Verdi
- Duration: Since Monday (09.03.2026) until presumably Thursday morning (12.03.2026)
- Affected: Municipal transport companies (buses and trams)
The current walkout in local transport has been ongoing since the beginning of the week. The service trade union Verdi has called on employees of Thüringer Verkehrsbetriebe for a roughly three-day warning strike to increase pressure on the employers’ side in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. For commuters, trainees, and students, this means significant restrictions on their daily commute to work or school.
Background: Impact on Traffic in Jena
When the trams and city buses of Jenaer Nahverkehr remain in the depots, experience shows that the flow of commuters shifts heavily onto the roads. Particularly on the main traffic axes such as the Bundesstraße 88 (B88) along the Saale valley, the Kahlaische Straße in the south, and the B7 towards Weimar and Eisenberg, a significantly increased volume of traffic and corresponding traffic jams are to be expected during peak hours.
Alternatives for the Commute: Since the regional rail transport of the railway companies is not included in this municipal strike call, the trains are running regularly. The stations Jena Paradies, Jena West, and Göschwitz can therefore be used as important hubs to at least move between city districts or to neighboring cities. Passengers are strongly advised to form carpools or switch to bicycles. It is also recommended to check digital information systems such as the VMT-App for possible emergency schedules shortly before starting the journey.
Source:
Strike again: How you can still travel by bus and train in Thüringen
Transparency Note: This article was automatically generated, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.