In Flemish Brabant bus drivers launched spontaneous strike actions at depots of Flemish local transport company De Lijn in Dilbeek and Leerbeek (Pajottegem) and in Anderlecht(Brussels) this morning after a bus was attacked in the borough of Anderlecht on Tuesday night. The driver was taken to hospital so his injuries could be treated. Staff at the depot in Meerbeke (Ninove) also walked out. Bus traffic to Brussels from those depots has been disrupted.
‘One of our buses on the R36 line between Groot-Bijgaarden and Alsemberg stopped at traffic lights yesterday evening. When a car in front of the bus did not set in motion immediately when the lights turned to green, the bus driver honked briefly to indicate that the light was green’ says spokesperson Astrid Hulhoven
"Two men then got out of that car and attacked the bus. They started banging on the bus, smashing some windows."
Understanding for spontaneous actions
The bus driver who was injured had to be taken to hospital. He was very affected by the incident. "Something like that really hits you. We understand why workers walked out at a few depots in the Vlaamse Rand this morning," Ms Hulhoven said.
The impact of the spontaneous strike on timetables is difficult to estimate. "Some drivers are working, others are not. People in the Vlaamse Rand would do well to consult the app or real-time information on our website. There they will immediately see which journeys are cancelled."
Transport company De Lijn stresses that the police were quickly on the scene after the incident. "The safety of our drivers is a priority. This kind of aggression is totally unacceptable."