The week-long rail strike impacting train traffic across the country is entering its final days. The alternative service put in place at the end of the working week will be comparable to the situation in previous days.
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 has 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 conductors will stop work on Thursday and Friday. The number of trains which will be running is comparable to the situation in recent days.
On Thursday 27 and Friday 28 March, the alternative train service is as follows (approximately):
- Seven in ten IC (InterCity) trains will run (around 70%). They directly connect major cities and only stop at the biggest stations
- Two in three S (suburban) trains and L (local) trains will run (around 66%). 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. 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-Chapelle, Buda, Calenelle, Harchies, Maubray and Ville-Pommeroeul on both days.
International rail travel is also impacted. The Dutch railway operator NS confirmed that many of the EuroCity and Eurocity Direct trains between Brussels-Midi and Rotterdam-Central railway stations have been cancelled. The NS International website shows which trains will not run.
Strikes are also possible at the weekend (29 and 30 March), but staff can decide for themselves whether to participate. With this action, METISP-Protect wants to denounce the railways' cost-cutting measures and the new government's measures, such as raising the retirement age.
Related News
- General strike travel disruptions expected in Flanders and Wallonia
- General strike: 'Major disruptions' expected on Brussels public transport on Monday
The strike week will immediately be succeeded by a general strike on Monday 31 March. This will also disrupt train traffic as the two major rail unions ACOD Spoor and ACV-Transcom will take part.
Several other unions had announced plans to strike on sporadic days in the coming months. On Wednesday, unions confirmed they would be aligning actions. This will likely lead to fewer, more coordinated strikes with a greater impact.
