Start of another two-day rail strike: what to expect?

Beware if you plan to travel by train this Tuesday: the railway workers are carrying out strike actions since 3am this morning. The duration of the action is 48 hours.

The SNCB predicts that one train out of three will ride this Tuesday, the first day of a 48-hour strike organized by the SIC Railway Workers' Union and supported by the unions SACT and Metisp-Protect. The two unions are calling for a postponement of the 'upgrading of drivers' file on the agenda of the National Joint Committee on 11 July. In particular, they fear that this revaluation will in fact lead to a reduction in the premiums granted to train drivers.

There should be many disturbances on the rail but as at the end of June, the minimum service law will be applied. So there will be some trains, but much less than usual …

Between deleted routes and others simply delayed, it will have to adapt. Because even if the strike knows a limited number of personnel, this is enough to upset schedules.

It is estimated that one train out of three should circulate, mainly on the IC lines, the busiest. To limit the damage, "we chose to favor rush hour", explained the spokesperson of SNCB.

What lines impacted?

The ten IC links that should undergo little or no disruption is the relations between Ostend-Brussels-Eupen, Charleroi-Brussels-Antwerp-Essen, Quiévrain-Mons-Brussels-Liège, Brussels-Namur-Luxembourg, Brussels-Namur-Liège, Tournai-Namur, Ghent-Brussels- Brussels Airport-Landen, Liers-Liege-Gouvy, Gouvy-Luxembourg and Brussels-Antwerp-Amsterdam.

Conversely, ten IC links will not be provided: Mons-Brussels Airport-Tournai, Antwerp-Leuven, Ghent- Brussels-Welkenraedt, Brussels Airport-Gembloux, Brussels Airport-Bruges, Etterbeek-Brussels Airport, Ghent-St-Pierre-Antwerp-Central, Turnhout-Antwerp, Antwerp-Brussels and Mol-Hbadelt. Other IC relationships should run irregularly

A very limited number of S trains and L trains will operate only during peak hours. Most of the P trains will not circulate.

Holidaymakers concerned

Unfortunately, for those who want to go to the sea, it looks complicated. " Despite the good weather, there will be no additional train put in place" .

As usual, the SNCB recommends to the travelers " to well inquire before go to the station ". This is happening on the website and the application SNCB.