Berlin’s transport chaos deepens as black ice halts trams and disrupts S-Bahn routes

A city on pause: Berlin’s trams grind to a halt, and the S-Bahn stumbles under a sheet of treacherous ice. Will your commute survive the freeze?

, and Administrator

2026 January 26 . 7:01 AM

1 min read

The image shows an old black and white photo of a city street in Brandenburg, Germany. We can see a... — The image shows an old black and white photo of a city street in Brandenburg, Germany. We can see a tram on the railway track, a group of people standing on the footpath, some buildings with windows, sign boards with text, street lamps, and a cloudy sky.

No Tram Service Due to Icy Overhead Lines - Berlin’s transport chaos deepens as black ice halts trams and disrupts S-Bahn routes

Berlin’s public transport faces major disruptions as extreme black ice sweeps across the city. Both trams and parts of the S-Bahn network have been affected, leaving passengers to find alternative routes. Operators are urging commuters to check for updates before travelling.

The Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) has halted all tram services after overhead lines iced over. The suspension leaves many routes without a key transport option. In response, the company directed passengers toward the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, or buses to complete their journeys.

Meanwhile, the Deutsche Bahn (DB) reported a separate interruption on the S-Bahn Ringbahn. Services between Südkreuz and Hermannstraße have stopped, though the exact cause remains unconfirmed. Officials have not ruled out weather-related factors, as black ice warnings cover much of Berlin.

Both BVG and DB operate under the city’s public transport coordination system. While they collaborate during disruptions, no formal contingency plans for snow and ice were publicly detailed. Commuters are advised to allow extra time and monitor real-time alerts for changes.

The transport delays come as Berlin battles hazardous black ice conditions. With trams fully suspended and S-Bahn services partially disrupted, many residents must adjust their travel plans. Operators continue to assess the situation, though no immediate timeline for full service restoration has been given.