German train strike brings chaos

Regular train commuters have had to turn to their cars

Germany has seen more traffic chaos after a strike by train drivers on the country's local rail network.

The nine-hour walkout hit heavily-used commuter trains in eastern states and some of the country's largest cities including Munich and Frankfurt.

About 10 million people use trains in Germany each day - the highest level of rail usage in Europe.

Many major roads have been clogged as people turned to their cars - with few replacement buses available.

Members of the GDL are demanding a 31% pay increase and a separate contract from other rail workers - attracting the anger of many in Germany.

It has rejected a 4.5% pay increase offer from Deutsche Bahn, which two other unions - Transnet and GBDA - agreed to in July.

The strike ran from 2am to 11am, local time (0000BST to 0900 BST)

Some trains in Berlin and Hamburg did run, but on a sharply-reduced schedule.

Freight and long-distance routes were not hit after a German court ruled that the economic impact would be too severe.

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