Train travel across Germany and in many cities came to a near standstill on Wednesday leaving commuters and other travellers struggling to find alternatives involving long-distance bus or car travel or flights after a union representing many of Germany’s train drivers started a nearly three-day strike.

State-owned Deutsche Bahn said only around 20% of its long-distance trains were running and many regional and commuter trains in cities like Berlin were also not in operation.

“The strike by the train drivers’ union GDL has had a massive impact on train services in Germany,” said Deutsche Bahn spokeswoman Anja Broeker. “We regret the restrictions and hope that many people who were unable to reschedule their journey will get to their destination.”

In the wage dispute, the GDL union had already called two previous warning strikes last year, which lasted a maximum of 24 hours in passenger transport.

The current strike lasts until Friday at 6 p.m., but union head Claus Weselsky said if there’s no new offer until Friday, “we’ll take a break and go into the next strike.”

The train drivers’ strike coincides with an unrelated one-week strike farmer who have been blocking city streets and highway access roads in parts of the country since Monday. They have snarled traffic with their tractors to protest against a government plan to scrap tax breaks on diesel used in agriculture and led to further traffic problems in Germany.