Saarbrücken: Saarbahn S1 tram-train strike waves from 9 July 2026

GDL has been staging repeated, open-ended wave strikes by Saarbahn tram-train drivers in Saarbrücken since early July 2026, in a long-running dispute over the union's demand for its own collective agreement and pay in line with train drivers elsewhere in Germany. After a short pause at the end of July, the walkouts resumed on 3 August and have continued in waves since — including on the first day of the new school year — and GDL has announced that stoppages will carry on in waves throughout September 2026.

Strike days and times are often announced at short notice, sometimes without fixed hours, so disruption is hard to predict day to day. During the waves the S1 line between Lebach and Saargemünd runs a reduced service or stops entirely, while Saarbahn operates replacement buses and publishes the current schedule on its website. Regular bus services are not affected. Passengers should check the day's status before setting out and allow extra travel time.