Strike action is under way at De Lijn in West Flanders Province today. 35 per cent of buses and trams are not running. This is the first in a series of strike days this week: a different Flemish province is affected each day of the working week. The trade unions are protesting against the additional cuts imposed by the Flemish government.
In January, it emerged that De Lijn would have to make not the planned 30 million euros in additional savings, but 35.5 million, due to further cuts by the Flemish government.
‘That cut of 35.5 million euros will have a massive impact on services,’ says Stan Reusen of the socialist trade union. ‘Our passengers will be affected. But De Lijn staff will also face a heavy burden, with a significant reduction in services and employment.’
Regional variations in West Flanders
The strike action by the trades union has led to the cancellation of 35 per cent of all services in West Flanders today. ‘There are regional variations within the province,’ says Jens Van Herp of De Lijn. ‘In the Bruges region, 62 per cent of all buses are running, and in Kortrijk it’s 60 per cent. In the Ostend region, the figure is 61 per cent. For the coastal tram, 73 per cent of all services are running.’
Further strikes are planned: tomorrow in Antwerp, on Wednesday in Flemish Brabant and Brussels, on Thursday in Limburg and on Friday in East Flanders.
Second week of action in prospect
A second week of strike action will follow in the first week of the Easter holidays. Strikes will take place on Tuesday 7 April in Flemish Brabant, on 8 April in Limburg, on 9 April in Antwerp Province and on 10 April in East and West Flanders.
The alternative timetable will be included in De Lijn’s route planner at least 24 hours in advance. Passengers are advised to check the route planner on the day of their journey for the most up-to-date information.