Passenger protection organisation TreinTramBus is asking Belgian railway operator SNCB/NMBS to give season ticket holders for the months of February and March a "Sorry Pass" to compensate for the strikes.
The week-long rail strike by independent union METISP-Protect came to an end on Sunday evening, but train traffic is again disrupted on Monday as the country's two major rail unions ACOD Spoor and ACV-Transcom are taking part in the general strike. TreinTramBus called the impact of the ongoing strikes on commuters "disproportionate".
"This is already the ninth day of strikes in a row. The railway unions want to make a point, and they have done so now. Travellers have understood and are fed up with it," said chair Peter Meukens. "The unions only have something to lose if they continue to make life difficult for train passengers, who are their natural allies. Now is the time to negotiate."
In addition to the strike on Monday and all through last week, train traffic was majorly disrupted in February due to a nine-day strike by the smaller rail unions OVS and ASTB that ran until Sunday 2 March.
'Sorry Pass'
Now, TreinTramBus is asking for compensation. "There is a need for a commercial gesture. We want all travellers with a valid season ticket for the months of February and March to receive a 'Sorry Pass'," said Meukens.
In the past, such a 'Sorry Pass' was common. The last time that SNCB/NMBS handed one out was in 2008 during the rail strike of 20 May. A total of 183,566 train travellers applied for such a pass at the time, which allowed one person to travel by train for free for one day.
Season ticket holders can receive compensation via the normal SNCB/NMBS compensation rules if they experience serious disruption due to the strike. "That is a lot of extra administration and the burden is once again shifted to the traveller. Additionally, the rules are very complex," said Meukens. For example, this concerns delays of 60 minutes or more. The compensation form can be found on the SNCB/NMBS website.
Illustration picture shows an empty Charleroi Sud train station, during a strike in the Hainaut province. Credit: Belga
The compensation scheme must be simpler, according to TreinTramBus. "In the future, it must be possible for affected season ticket holders to extend the validity of their subscription by one day, up to one day in advance. This must be possible when travellers cannot use the alternative timetable."
Meukens emphasised that he respects the right to strike and has more understanding for the actions on a general strike day, but nevertheless emphasised that the impact on the traveller is disproportionate.
In April (except for 1 April), the major railway unions will strike every Tuesday – uniting the actions by different unions, rather than holding smaller actions during more days. "A first step. But it can be better: as long as the negotiations continue, the strikes must be suspended."
