Berlin: On the day of the warning strike, trams run – however passengers usually are not allowed to get on | EUROtoday

On Monday, an all-day warning strike largely paralyzed public transport operated by the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG). According to the Verdi union, most buses, subways and trams shouldn’t run from 3 a.m. Monday morning to three a.m. Tuesday morning. But there’s an exception for the tram: the trains ought to run regardless of the strike – however with out passengers.

The purpose is the continued threat of icing. People attempt to keep away from this by driving, even on the day of the strike. After tram visitors in Berlin got here to an virtually full standstill final Monday as a consequence of freezing rain, the BVG is warning of issues with overhead strains and tracks within the coming days. “The persistently high humidity at temperatures below zero continues to ensure that overhead lines and track systems remain sensitive,” the corporate introduced on Saturday. The de-icing is predicted to proceed till the weekend.

Special answer for tram infrastructure

In order to maintain the tram community operational regardless of strikes, the BVG and Verdi have now agreed on this particular regulation. Accordingly, “operationally necessary trips” will happen on Monday – however with out passengers. The goal is to maintain the overhead strains freed from ice and to restart the infrastructure after the strike, if potential with out main disruptions.

“The BVG employees are on the move all weekend to keep the network stable and to be able to react immediately to short-term icing,” it continued. The trams that transfer however stay empty are meant to stop ice from forming on the strains once more.

Passengers are ignored

Anyone who sees trams driving by way of Berlin on Monday should not be fooled: boarding will not be allowed. For passengers, because of this the tram community can also be de facto at a standstill as a part of the warning strike. The particular regulation underlines the tense circumstances in Berlin’s native transport: between the climate chaos and industrial motion, the BVG and the union try to no less than keep technical operations.

Walking does not turn into one of the best various. Because snow and ice are cleared from sidewalks in some elements of Berlin and never in others, the danger of falling will increase in winter climate. “The nasty thing is that you can never estimate the risk where you are walking,” mentioned Roland Stimpel from the board of the German Foot Traffic Association (Fuss eV). “You have ten good meters, then there are ten where there is a bit of grit, then 50 where it is completely smooth.”

Thin blanket of snow hides slipperiness

This is totally unpredictable for pedestrians. “Sometimes the slippery conditions under a thin blanket of snow change without any warning,” Stimpel mentioned. “Even someone who is very careful and prepared for a lot of things suddenly finds themselves in a completely different situation if they just take one step forward.”

If the footpaths are extraordinarily slippery, Stimpel recommends contemplating whether or not it is likely to be a safer various to maneuver onto the highway or cycle path. This is usually forbidden, however in an distinctive scenario in which there’s a threat of severely injuring your self on the sidewalk, it’s justifiable if the visitors scenario permits it.