Until tonight rail services are hit as a result of the rail strike. ‘Right now, one in two trains is running between major cities (IC) and two out of 5 local and suburban services (L and S trains) are operating,’ says rail company spokesman Bart Crols. During the rush hour, there will be virtually no commuter (P) trains. ‘That is how it was drafted in the alternative train service timetable that was worked out’.
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24-hour rail strike: half of all InterCity services running, hardly any commuter services
Colin Clapson
Published:
Christian ACV Transcom and socialist ACOD Spoor, the 2 major rail unions, are holding a national strike today.
They oppose a series of federal government measures, including a rise in the retirement age and cuts at rail company NMBS.
The strike has resulted in fewer trains running in Belgium for 24 hours: the strike started last night and will continue until 10pm tonight.
Alternative train service
The NMBS has drawn up an alternative train service based on the number of workers who indicated they would turn up for work. This can be consulted via the NMBS's online journey planner, on the website and on the app.
Only 1 in 2 IC trains will run between major cities, the NMBS notes. In addition, only 2 in 5 L(ocal) and S(uburban) trains are operating. During the rush hour, in the morning and in the evening, almost no P or commuter trains are running.
Last night almost all student trains ran as normal as most of these trains departed and arrived before the start of the strike action and were therefore not affected by the strike.
More strikes ahead
The two railway unions have pencilled in a total of 18 strike days on their agenda from now till July.
NMBS, railtrack operator Infrabel and human resources provider HR Rail regret the unions are sticking to their strike plans, ‘despite the consultation meetings that took place with the relevant federal ministers last week’. At the end of those consultations, on Wednesday, the unions said they see little margin for negotiation on pensions.
More train disruption is expected later this month. The small union Metisp-Protect plans to strike from Sunday evening 23 to 30 March. Affiliated train drivers will alternate strike days with train conductors.
On March 31, another strike is planned by ACOD Spoor and ACV-Transcom. They will then join the general strike called by the socialist ABVV and Christian ACV unions.