Rail strike Monday 12 October: check your train before travelling
Fewer trains will run in Belgium from Sunday 11 October at 22:00 until the last train on Monday 12 October. The socialist public-services union ACOD is striking against the federal government's budget plans, and rail staff are taking part. Railway company NMBS and infrastructure manager Infrabel say they will run an alternative timetable based on the staff who turn up for work.
The strike is part of a second union action day in four days, after Friday's national protest in Brussels. On Monday it hits public services: De Lijn buses and trams in Flanders and STIB/MIVB in Brussels can also be disrupted, and some schools may be affected because the education branch of ACOD has also filed a strike notice. Schools must still offer pupils supervision unless the school board decides to close and informs parents in advance. Brussels Airport says it expects no impact on flights on Monday.
International trains are also affected. Fewer EuroCity and EuroCity Direct trains will run between Belgium and the Netherlands, while Eurostar and TGV services were planned to run normally. Travellers with a ticket for 12 October may use it on the same train on 11 or 13 October instead.
Check the NMBS journey planner or app from Sunday, the day before you travel, and again on Monday morning, because the alternative timetable is loaded only shortly before the strike. Check the De Lijn planner from Saturday evening. If you cannot reach work or school, a strike certificate is available on the NMBS website for up to seven days after the strike. Allow extra travel time or consider working from home.