MVG Strike on Monday

Overview

On Monday, 2 February 2026, the trade union Verdi called a full-day warning strike in municipal public transport that affects Munich and other cities. The strike heavily disrupts services run by the Munich Transport Company (MVG), with U-Bahn, tram and many bus lines (up to line 199) impacted from about 03:30 until the following day. S‑Bahn, regional trains and regional buses that do not belong to MVG remain unaffected. The MVG warns that a normal, regular service is not expected until Tuesday, 3 February.

Which services are affected and how

U-Bahn (metro)

The U-Bahn is initially taken out of service for safety reasons and will only be restarted in a very limited and prioritized way if enough staff are available in operations control and on the trains. If partial service is possible, priority will be given to main lines such as U3 and U6. Passengers should expect long interruptions and only very limited trains on prioritized routes.

Trams

Tram operations are also heavily affected. Where tram service can be maintained, priority may be given to particularly busy routes — for example, the highly used line 20 on Dachauer Straße — but availability depends on staff. Expect cancellations and reduced frequencies on many tram lines.

Buses

Bus service may be less affected in some areas because private cooperation partners do not participate in the strike. However, this does not mean a normal service: bus operations will be irregular, with partial line coverage and unpredictable departures. Night bus lines already end early on the strike day (around 02:30).

S‑Bahn, regional trains and regional buses

S‑Bahn, regional trains and MVV regional buses are not part of MVG and therefore are not affected by this MVG strike. These services are expected to continue according to their own schedules, though passengers should still allow extra travel time and verify individual service status.

Practical advice and alternatives for passengers

Commuters and travelers should plan ahead and consider alternatives early. Hundreds of thousands of people can be affected, so preparation can reduce stress and delays.

• Work from home if possible or arrange flexible hours.
• Use carpooling, taxis or ride‑sharing where practical.
• Check S‑Bahn and regional train options for longer trips that are not operated by MVG.
• Allow much more time for journeys and expect irregular departures.
• Follow real‑time information channels and station announcements for last‑minute updates.

MVG advises passengers to use alternatives such as car sharing, cycling, walking or making use of non‑MVG public options. Be prepared for crowded services where limited replacement service runs.

Background: why the strike is happening

The strike is part of failed tariff negotiations for the TV‑N Bayern collective agreement. Verdi demands higher allowances for overtime, night and weekend work, shorter working time options and a significant pay increase in Bavaria (an additional €668.75 per month was demanded in the current round). Employers point to tight municipal budgets and highlight salary increases already agreed since 2023.

Union representatives have voiced strong dissatisfaction with the negotiation process. Verdi district secretary Haris Softic said: “Es wurden so viele Versprechungen gemacht und nichts ist passiert, da fühlen wir uns mittlerweile verarscht.” Verdi Munich’s Claudia Weber stressed: “Gute Mobilität für München gibt es nur mit guten Arbeitsbedingungen.” Katharina Wagner placed responsibility for escalation on the employers’ negotiators: “Die Eskalation liegt allein in der Verantwortung der Verhandlerinnen auf der Seite der Arbeitgeberinnen.”

Negotiation dates reported in different sources vary (with potential follow‑ups mentioned for early to mid February), and Verdi warns that further strikes are possible if talks do not progress.

Impact, timeline and live information

Key practical points: the strike began early on 2 February at around 03:30 and affects services throughout the day into the next morning. A regulated or normal operation is expected again on Tuesday 3 February if staff are available. Night lines stop early and many daytime services will be interrupted or cancelled. Tickets are not refunded because strike cases are excluded from MVG’s guarantee policy.

Because private partner operators do not participate in the strike, some limited bus operations may run — but expect unpredictability. If you rely on MVG services for commuting, consider making contingency plans now and stay informed via official MVG channels and local announcements.