Berlin bus driver Ekkehard Spiegel juggles politics and the wheel amid transit chaos
Ekkehard Spiegel has spent the last two and a half years driving buses for Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG). Before that, he worked in international development. Now, he's balancing his job with a run for state parliament in Friedrichshain—while still planning to keep his seat behind the wheel.
Spiegel describes bus driving as one of Berlin's most stressful jobs. Tight layovers, near-misses on the road, and difficult passenger interactions take their toll. Many drivers face sleep disorders, heart problems, and high blood pressure because of unpredictable shift patterns.
His daily route includes two notorious trouble spots: a construction site in Koepenick's old town and the traffic chaos around Treptower Park. Despite the stress, he loves the work—especially his favourite route, the 165, which runs from Muegelschloessenweg in Koepenick to the Maerkisches Museum in Mitte. Beyond driving, Spiegel is active in BVG's wage talks with the Verdi union. A key demand is longer minimum layover times at terminals to ease pressure on drivers. He's also set to speak at an event hosted by Helle Panke, discussing the past and present of Berlin's bus network.
Spiegel remains committed to both his job and his political campaign. The upcoming state elections will see him as a direct candidate for Friedrichshain. Meanwhile, his push for better working conditions continues, reflecting the challenges faced by many in Berlin's public transport sector.
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