The general strike called by the Christian and socialist trade unions to protest against federal government cuts is affecting public transport across the country.
Only half of all buses and trams running in Flanders
On average, only half of all buses and trams in Flanders are running today due to the general strike Flemish public transport company De Lijn reports. The operator has worked out an alternative service.
In Antwerp province 4 out of 10 buses and trams are running.
In East Flanders, the figure is two-thirds.
In Flemish Brabant, half of all services are operating.
In Limburg, it’s 4 out of 10 buses.
In West Flanders, half of all services are running.
In Antwerp city, a quarter of buses and trams are running, in Ghent it’s 45 per cent and only 3 in 10 coastal trams are operating.
De Lijn's site and app currently only show rides that are running. Journeys that are not taking place are not shown.
More rail woes
Belgium’s state-owned rail company NMBS expects major disruption from the strike. Rail staff are particularly unhappy with the prospect of later retirement. Nevertheless 1 in 2 IC trains are running. Furthermore, 1 in 3 L(ocal) and S(uburban) trains will operate. There are almost no P or rush hour trains. No trains are expected to operate in most of Luxembourg province and the southern part of Namur.
Fewer international trains due to strike day
The general strike is also affecting international rail traffic. Fewer trains are running to the Netherlands and France. Several Eurostar high-speed trains have been cancelled.
The biggest disruption is between Brussels and Paris, according to a summary on the operator's website. One TGV Inoui service has been cancelled between Brussels and Strasbourg, also on Tuesday.
Fewer trains are also running in the direction of the Netherlands. As was the case throughout the past rail strike week, only half of the Eurocity Direct trains between Brussels and Amsterdam will run on Monday. Of the EuroCity trains (Brussels-Rotterdam), 10 out of 16 trains are running in each direction.
Austria’s ÖBB's night train Nightjet, which was due to depart from Brussels to Vienna and Berlin on Monday, will depart from Cologne. Passengers can travel from Brussels or Liège to Cologne on an ICE train, according to the NMBS International website.