Coastal tram services are severely disrupted today (14 August) due to a strike by drivers. The tram drivers that work from the Flemish public transport company De Lijn are taking strike action in protest against staff shortages. Around 90% of coastal tram services have been cancelled today. Many bus drivers in West Flanders are also taking strike action today. Only around half of all bus services in the province are running.
The tram drivers and bus drivers are unhappy because they believe that management at De Lijn is doing too little to address the issue of staff shortages. The unions that represent the drivers say that this shows a lack of respect for bus and tram drivers by management at De Lijn. Furthermore, software issues mean that overtime worked due to De Lijn not having enough drivers is not always paid out.
In a statement De Lijn says that it regrets the disruption that is being caused by the strike, not least because the Coastal Tram is an important means of transport for the many day trippers that visit the coast during the high season.
Those wishing to use trams or buses in West Flanders today are advised to check which services are running on De Lijn’s website or the Flemish public transport company’s app.