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Saarbrücken: Saarbahn tram-train hit by GDL wave strikes, call extended to 24 December 2026 — no S1 trains until Monday 2 November 03:00

Today
The dates for this strike have changed since the original announcement.

See the updates below for details.

Last Updated:

Minor Public transport

The train drivers' union GDL is striking at Saarbahn in Saarbrücken in waves, and has extended its strike call from Sunday 1 November (12:00) until 24 December 2026. Because the union calls and lifts stoppages at very short notice, Saarbahn suspended the S1 completely from Saturday 31 October until 03:00 on Monday 2 November — no tram-trains over the Halloween and All Saints weekend — and runs its strike-independent replacement plan again from Monday. The dispute is not being negotiated at present. Its 40th strike call in the dispute began at 15:30 on Thursday 8 October; GDL says the action will be interrupted at times, and individual stoppages are often called or ended at short notice. Saarbahn counts about 950 strike hours since the dispute began. After a pause from 24 October, GDL resumed the stoppages at 12:30 on Wednesday 28 October and again at 05:30 on Thursday 29 October; the current strike call runs until midnight on Saturday 31 October, with further interruptions possible at short notice.

What to expect: no S1 service at all until 03:00 on Monday 2 November; buses, including rail-replacement buses, run normally. From Monday Saarbahn runs its replacement plan regardless of strikes. On weekdays the S1 runs until 21:00 between Saargemünd, Riegelsberg Süd and Lebach, and rail-replacement buses run to their timetable whether or not drivers are on strike. Outside strike phases, more S1 trips from the regular timetable can run. Check the Saarbahn website or app before travelling.

Why: GDL wants its own collective agreement for the tram-train drivers it represents and says Saarbahn refuses to negotiate. Saarbahn and the municipal employers' association (KAV Saar) say the Verdi agreement TV-N Saar has applied to all driving staff since 1 October and rule out a separate deal; GDL calls this unlawful and is considering legal action.

This alert was originally created on 23 September 2026.

Public Impact

🚂 Train
🚊 Tram

Effective Dates

Updates

Oct 31, 2026
✎ Update
GDL has extended its strike call at Saarbahn from Sunday 1 November (12:00) until 24 December. Because stoppages are called and lifted at very short notice, Saarbahn has suspended the S1 completely until 03:00 on Monday 2 November — no tram-trains over the weekend — and runs its strike-independent replacement plan again from Monday. Buses, including rail-replacement buses, run normally. The dispute is not being negotiated at present.
Oct 29, 2026
✎ Update
After a pause that began on 24 October, GDL resumed the strike at 12:30 on Wednesday 28 October and again at 05:30 on Thursday 29 October. Saarbahn's replacement plan stays in force: the S1 runs until 21:00, every 15 minutes in the city centre at peak times, and the rail-replacement buses run to timetable; only trips beyond the replacement plan are cancelled while drivers are out. The union's strike call runs until midnight on Saturday 31 October and can be interrupted at short notice.
Oct 13, 2026
✎ Update
GDL has paused the strike again on Tuesday 13 October: drivers return to work from 08:00 for at least six hours, the union says, to press the employer to return to the negotiating table. The strike can resume at short notice afterwards; Saarbahn's replacement plan continues to apply on weekdays.
Oct 10, 2026
✎ Update
GDL has suspended the strike from Saturday morning 10 October until Sunday evening 11 October, for at least 40 hours, saying it wants the employer back at the negotiating table. The S1 is running its regular service on Saturday and Sunday. Saarbahn's replacement plan applies again from Monday 12 October, and the strike can resume at short notice.
Oct 8, 2026
✎ Update
GDL called its 40th strike at Saarbahn from 15:30 on Thursday 8 October and says strikes can continue, with interruptions, until midnight on 31 October. It paused the strike at 21:30 the same evening and the S1 ran until the end of service. From Friday 9 October Saarbahn runs its extended replacement plan, with the S1 running until 21:00 between Saargemünd, Riegelsberg Süd and Lebach. New stoppages can start at short notice.
Oct 4, 2026
✎ Update
GDL's 39th strike has been under way since 05:30 on Sunday 4 October, with no end time announced; the S1 is not running its regular service today. From Monday Saarbahn's enlarged replacement plan starts regardless of strikes: 85 per cent more S1 service than the previous replacement plan, with the S1 running until 21:00 on weekdays between Saargemünd, Riegelsberg Süd and Lebach.
Oct 3, 2026
✎ Update
The stoppage that began on Friday afternoon ended on Saturday morning and the S1 is running normally today. GDL has already called its 39th strike, starting at 05:30 on Sunday 4 October. From Monday Saarbahn will run an enlarged replacement plan regardless of strikes, with 85 per cent more S1 service and the S1 running until 21:00 on weekdays.
Oct 2, 2026
✎ Update
GDL has called a new stoppage from 15:30 today, Friday 2 October, with no end time given. Saarbahn is running its replacement plan: the S1 keeps a reduced peak service until about 17:30, replacement buses continue, and the test runs with the new TramTrain vehicles are suspended. Check the Saarbahn app before travelling this evening and over the weekend.
Oct 1, 2026
✎ Update
The wave strikes continue into October with no end date: Saarbahn's replacement plan is in force again today, Thursday 1 October, with the S1 running a reduced peak service in two sections and normal service expected from 17:30 if the union does not strike in the afternoon. GDL said on 29 September that the company still refuses to negotiate.

Organizer

Affected Locations

  • Saarbrücken (Saarland)

Sources

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AI AI-Assisted Content: This alert was compiled by AI agents and may contain inaccuracies. Please check the cited sources above. Learn more about our AI.

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