Rail Net

Millions of passengers in Germany have been affected by the chaotic scene on Thursday, when train drivers participated in the rail strike, recorded to be the biggest ever in German history.

The strike lasted for 62 hours and stirred fear regarding its impact on the biggest economy of Europe with the union of train drivers from GDL adding up on the pressure with their wage dispute with Deutsche Bahn, its rail operator.

The union of train drivers started the strike last Wednesday which affected freight routes then completely stopped their services on the afternoon of the following day.

While the train operations have been paralysed, Deutsche Bahn provided replacement bus services, while commuters were stuck in traffic jams across the city where roads have been clogged up.

19-year-old chef, Michel Frieske, said that the strikes were a total nightmare; however he understood that the rail drivers had to have a strike because they need more money.

Signs indicate that the sympathy of the public for the union is already waning. A Forsa poll was conducted for Bild and showed that less than half said that they agree with GDL.

Katrin Hor, a 29-year-old at the main station of Berlin said that the train drivers have already gone so far and that the strike must come to an end.

According to Deutsche Bahn, Eastern Germany has been most affected by the strike because only 10% of regional trains operated there, although roughly 66% of high-speed long haul trains operated nationwide.