Belgium’s long-suffering travelling public should expect severe disruption to tram and bus services in Brussels on Monday due to industrial action at local transport company MIVB. The socialist trade union is staging filter blockades at various depots in protest against a recruitment freeze imposed by the Brussels government. Tram and bus services are particularly affected, whilst the metro is running normally.
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Protest against recruitment freeze halts trams and buses in Brussels, metro running
Colin Clapson
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According to MIVB spokesperson Guy Sablon, metro services are running without any problems, but tram and bus services have been significantly reduced.
Due to picket lines, the number of services operating is limited, as drivers are unable to leave the depot. As for trams, lines 4, 8, 9, 39 and 44 are running. Bus routes 12, 43, 46, 47, 53, 56, 71, 73, 74, 78, 87, 95 and T-bus 81 are also running. The other routes are currently not operating. The situation may change as the day progresses.
“The good news is that the metro is running completely normally. Tram and bus services, however, are severely disrupted. At present, only five tram routes and around ten bus routes are operating. There is significant disruption to tram and bus services,” says Sablon.
The transport company is urging passengers who rely on trams or buses to check the MIVB website or app before setting off.
Protest against recruitment freeze
The protest has been organised by the socialist trades union, which opposes the recruitment freeze imposed on the MIVB by the Brussels government. As a result, no new staff may be recruited until at least the end of 2026.