Many Belgian rail staff joined a strike action at 10 p.m. yesterday evening. As a result, one in two InterCity trains – trains connecting our towns and cities – are not running today.
Only one in three Suburban and Local trains are running. In addition, most rush hour trains have been cancelled.
The rail strike will continue tomorrow and Wednesday.
Quiet Monday morning at Ghent-Sint-Pieters, but busy at Brussels-South
Commuters report Ghent-Sint-Pieters station is quieter than usual due to the rail strike. Few passengers have presented and the trains that are running are also shorter than normal. Trade unionists have set up a small picket line in front of the entrance.
However, many passengers do seem to have found their way to the Brussels-South station (Zuid/Midi) this morning. Information boards show several trains that are running but are experiencing significant delays, sometimes of up to half an hour and even an hour.
International trains through Belgium also affected
It is not only domestic rail services that are severely disrupted today. Trains to and from Belgium are also being affected by the rail strike.
There are fewer trains than usual on the Eurostar connection to and from Paris.
Train services to and from the Netherlands are also affected. The Eurostar, Eurocity Direct and Eurocity are running less frequently and via a different route. As a result, the Eurocity does not stop in Breda and the Noorderkempen, but makes an extra stop in Roosendaal.