"From outside, the labour dispute at Deutsche Bahn is becoming increasingly difficult to understand," said Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, complaining that the week-long stoppage would "badly hurt commuters and passengers, as well as Deutsche Bahn and the German economy as a whole," Europe's largest.

Federal transport minister Norbert Barthle slammed the situation created by the industrial action as "intolerable."

The drivers' union GDL has been locked in a bitter dispute with Deutsche Bahn management primarily focused on the employees it wants to represent, but also on wages and working hours.

GDL has already staged seven previous strikes since July, which Deutsche Bahn said cost the company €200 million.

The Local