Location Transport

VVS Strikes in Stuttgart?

We are german residents, and rely on the public transport for daily commuting. We have paid annual tickets for using trains, trams and buses (S Bahn, U Bahn etc.). However, during the month of October 2011, the local transport company VVS in Stuttgart region went on strikes about 4 times. Such strikes causes disturbance in commuting and sometimes overpaying the use of taxis and other means of transportation. What are the rights of the VVS customers in this case?. Isn't the state or the VVS company responsible to compensate the damage of such strikes. What can we do legally to protect ourselves in this case.

Public Comments

1. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do legally. Based on the terms and conditions strikes fall under the force majeure condition, same as inclement weather conditions which are not subject to compensation. The verdi union has only planned to strike on Tuesday and Wednesday. Not to operate on Thursday and Friday was initially a decision of the SSB/VVS management, stating that a safe operation is not possible because of lack of maintenance performance due to the strike. As it looks now the VVS owners have overruled the management decision (Aussperrung) not to operate on Thursday and Friday, too. You can expect service to commence on Thursday. S-Bahn is not involved in the strike, they operate as usual..