The week-long rail union strike has entered its second working weekday. On Tuesday 25 March, slightly more InterCity trains – directly connecting Belgium's main cities – will be running.
The independent railway union METISP-Protect is organising a week-long strike from Sunday 23 March (from 22:00) to Sunday 30 March (at 22:00/last train), affecting all Belgian rail employees. National rail operator SNCB/NMBS confirmed that fewer trains will run due to the action.
A reduced alternative train service is being offered every day based on available staff. The impact differs every day, explained by the variation in staff who are called to strike. Train drivers will strike on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, while train conductors will stop work on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Strikes are also possible at the weekend (29 and 30 March), but staff can decide for themselves whether to participate.
On Tuesday 25 March, the alternative train service is as follows (approximately):
- Seven in ten IC (InterCity) trains (around 70%, up from 66% on Monday) will run. They directly connect major cities and only stop at the biggest stations.
- Two in three S (suburban) trains and L (local) trains (around 66%, up from 60% on Monday) will run. S trains run at fixed times in and around major cities, stopping at most stations. L trains run between the major cities but stop at every station along the route.
- Few P (peak) trains will run. On Monday, around 20% of these services were operating. They normally only run during the morning and evening rush hours, reinforcing the service during peak hours.
The SNCB/NMBS website provides passengers with an overview of the services per train type (IC, S, L) and per station (where few or no trains stop). No trains will stop in the stations of Brussels-Kapellekerk, Buda, Callenelle, Chapelle-Dieu, Harchies, Maubray, Mazy and Ville-Pommeroeul.
Exactly which trains will be running will be visible 24 hours in advance in the journey planner (via the company's website or app). Passengers are advised to always check the planner every day.
International travel disrupted
International rail travel is also impacted. The Dutch railway operator NS confirmed that half of the EuroCity and ten of the 16 Eurocity Direct trains (in both directions) between Brussels-Midi and Rotterdam-Central railway stations have been cancelled. The NS International website shows which trains will not run.
Travellers who already have a ticket can use it to board one of the trains that are running. Tickets are valid for the entire period from 23 March to 1 April, but tickets for the Eurocity Direct do not apply to the EuroCity and vice versa.
The Eurostar high-speed operator cancelled two trains between Paris and Brussels on Monday. For the rest of the week, Eurostar timetables are not expected to be disrupted. "Currently, we do not expect an impact on other days. If this changes, affected passengers will be informed of the change and how to proceed," a Eurostar spokesperson told The Brussels Times.
Wednesday's timetable
The alternative timetable for Wednesday 26 March has also been confirmed. It will be the exact same as on Tuesday. The following services will run:
- Seven in ten IC trains
- Two in three S and L trains
- Few P trains
With this strike, METISP-Protect wants to denounce the railways' cost-cutting measures and the new government's measures, such as raising the retirement age.
The day after this week-long strike ends, a general strike will be held on Monday 31 March in which the two major rail unions ACOD Spoor and ACV-Transcom will take part. In total, the two major unions will be organising 18 days of strikes between now and July.
Meanwhile, the smaller Autonomous Union of Train Drivers (ASTB-SACT), announced that it wants to strike for six days in April and two weeks per month from May.
