1. What is happening: the Rheinbahn warning strike and its reach
On Friday, 27 February 2026 at 03:00 a.m. a 48-hour warning strike called by the union ver.di began at Rheinbahn, affecting local public transport across Düsseldorf, the district of Mettmann, Meerbusch and connections to Duisburg, Krefeld, Neuss and Ratingen. The strike will run through Saturday evening and puts large parts of the local network out of service. U-Bahn and many tram services do not run, only a few bus lines are operating, and school buses have been cancelled entirely. S-Bahn and regional trains continue to run according to normal schedules.
Rheinbahn has activated an extended emergency network (Notnetz). This includes selected tram services running more frequently (notably lines 701, 705 and 706 at roughly ten-minute intervals) and an extra U-Bahn service to the Merkur Spiel-Arena on Friday (U78) and on Saturday (U75). These measures are subject to short-notice changes and depend on the level of strike participation, so availability can vary at any time.
The situation is fluid: not all unions are striking — the local transport union has held back, saying negotiations with employers will continue in March and that it is too early to strike. That means operating patterns can differ across operators and lines, and timely updates are essential.
2. What this means for Fortuna fans at the home game versus Bochum
For fans attending the Bundesliga home match against VfL Bochum at the Merkur Spiel-Arena (kick-off 18:30), the strike creates real challenges. The arena opens early at 16:30 to help spread arrival times. Rheinbahn plans a U78 shuttle to the arena at ten-minute intervals on the relevant match day, but supporters are strongly advised to allow extra travel time because services may change at short notice.
Fortuna will still run its planned fan programmes: merchandise specials, a farewell gesture for former player Marcel Sobottka and on-site competitions and giveaways. Those offerings can lift the mood, provided supporters can reach the stadium. If you intend to attend, plan travel carefully and be prepared for disruptions on the way home as well.
Recommended alternatives include using park-and-ride options (parking P1/P2 with stadium shuttle buses for guests), ride-sharing portals, on-demand services such as the local ‘flexy’ option, or the ride-hailing app ‘redy’. If possible, consider working from home or shifting work hours to avoid peak travel. Fans should check live departure boards and transport apps right before leaving and expect to adapt plans if services change.
3. Travel options, service details and practical tips
3.1 Tram and U-Bahn: what to expect
Main tram and U-Bahn routes are severely affected: most trams and U-Bahn lines do not run during the strike. The emergency network includes certain tram lines (701, 705, 706) at roughly ten-minute intervals and a dedicated U-Bahn shuttle (U78 on Friday; U75 on Saturday) to the stadium. These services can be added, reduced or cancelled at short notice based on how many employees take part in the strike, so treat advertised timetables as provisional.
3.2 Bus, shuttle and on-demand services
Only a limited number of bus lines will operate. School buses are cancelled entirely. Stadium parking areas (P1/P2) usually offer shuttle buses for visiting fans — these can be a reliable alternative if bus links to your area are reduced. On-demand services like ‘flexy’ and dedicated mobility apps (such as ‘redy’) can fill gaps for shorter trips, but might have high demand on matchday, so book early where possible.
3.3 Regional trains and airport connections
S-Bahn and regional trains are reported to be running normally, so they are a good alternative for longer journeys or to reach interchange stations outside the strike-affected local network. The airport warns of restricted access by local transport, but SkyTrain and long-distance DB trains continue to operate as usual. If arriving via rail, plan to use regional or S-Bahn services to get close and then transfer via the emergency tram or shuttle options where available.
3.4 Practical checklist and tips for matchday travel
- Leave much earlier than usual — allow significant buffer time for delays and reroutes.
- Check live departure screens and the Rheinbahn app just before leaving; expect last-minute changes.
- Consider S-Bahn or regional trains for the main leg of the trip, then transfer to emergency trams, shuttle buses or on-demand services.
- Use stadium parking P1/P2 and shuttle buses if driving; carpool or use ride-share portals to reduce parking pressure.
- Book on-demand rides in advance where possible, and have a backup plan for the return trip.
- Carry valid tickets and digital confirmations, and follow instructions from staff and stewards at transport hubs and the stadium.
4. Advice for commuters and the general public
Commuters receive mixed advice: digital display boards and transport apps provide fast updates, but the situation can change quickly, so remain flexible. If you can, work from home or adjust working hours to reduce exposure to peak travel disruption. Those relying on school buses will need alternatives because those services have been cancelled. Employers and employees should plan for reduced local mobility on both strike days.
When using the airport, expect altered access times by local services; however, automated airport connections like the SkyTrain and long-distance rail services are expected to run normally. Always check live train information before travel and allow extra time for transfers.
5. Final summary: get there if you can, but plan for trouble
The Rheinbahn warning strike will significantly disrupt local public transport across the region during the 48-hour action. For Fortuna fans heading to the home match against Bochum, the club and transport operators have put measures in place to help supporters reach the Merkur Spiel-Arena — but those measures are provisional and depend on strike participation. Arrive early, check live updates in the Rheinbahn app and on departure boards, use park-and-ride or on-demand alternatives, and be ready to adapt plans.
Despite the challenges, Fortuna’s fan activities and matchday atmosphere can still make the evening enjoyable for those who manage to get to the stadium. Patience, preparation and flexible travel plans are the best ways to avoid stress on a disrupted matchday.
