The Brussels public transport company MIVB predicts major disruption to its services on Tuesday 29 April as its staff join a day of action against the federal government's socio-economic policies. The exact impact of the action won’t be known until early on Tuesday morning. Nevertheless, MIVB is advising its passengers to look for alternative travel options on Tuesday.
Like on previous strike days passengers will be able to keep up to date on which services are running and which aren’t by visiting MIVB’s website or the public transport company’s app. MIVB will also post regular updates via social media and it will also regularly update information on screens at its metro stations and bus and tram stops. The public transport company advises passengers to use taxis, shared bikes, e-scooters or car-share services such as Cambio or Bolt as an alternative to the bus, tram or metro.
The strike has been called by the socialist and Christian trade unions in protest at some of the federal government’s socio-economic policies. During the past few months there has been a series of strikes against pension reforms, the erosion of the civil service statute and other cuts that will impact the long-term unemployed and those on long-term sick leave.
Unlike previous “National" strikes, Tuesday will see a number of regional strikes being held in large cities such as Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and several cities in Wallonia. Services provided by the Flemish public transport company De Lijn are also likely to be disrupted. There will also be disruption on the railways.