The alternative timetable put in place due to a strike on the Belgian railways is running as planned on Saturday morning, according to the Belgian rail company NMBS.
A railway strike began at 10 pm on Friday and is expected to last at least nine days. The impact of the strike may vary daily. NMBS and rail network manager Infrabel have devised alternative timetables based on which employees are available to work. Approximately six out of ten trains are running on Saturday.
“The timetable is running as planned,” said NMBS spokesperson Dimitri Temmerman on Saturday morning. “The announced trains are operating.” The rail company also reported no major issues with stranded passengers in the station. “Communications started well in advance,” Temmerman added.
The rail company advises travellers to check online or via the NMBS app to see when their train is running.
The strike is organised by two smaller rail unions, OVS and ASTB, who are protesting against planned measures by the federal government, including an increase in the retirement age, more flexibility for railway workers, budget cuts in the rail sector, and reforms to HR Rail, the legal employer of rail staff.
