De Lijn unions hold strike day at coast: only 1 in 10 trams running
Flemish public transport operator De Lijn is expecting major disruptions to its network at the coast and in the Westhoek region of West Flanders on Wednesday due to a strike. Only one in 10 coastal trams will run. The unions are taking action against staff shortages and high work pressure.
People at the coast who are counting on the trams and buses of De Lijn to get around, need to take into account the limited service today. In the Ostend are, two in 10 buses will run on average and six in 10 buses in the Westhoek region.
According to unions, work pressure at the coast is particularly high because there are not enough staff. Staff also complain that they do not always get their overtime pay due to problems with a new computer system.
"We are trying to offer the best possible alternative, but this brings inconvenience, which we regret"
Moreover, the coastal tram has to run slower than usual in several places due to technical problems that unions say were not addressed quickly enough. When the tram driversdo drive a little faster to get back on schedule, they are reprimanded, according to the unions.
"We had hoped that the negotiations would lead to a different outcome and that the action would not continue," Frederic Wittouck, spokesperson for De Lijn, told VRT. "We are especially concerned with the impact the action will have on our passengers. We are trying to offer the best possible alternative, but this brings inconvenience, which we regret."
People are advised to consult De Lijn’s website and app for the schedules of guaranteed trips. Those that are cancelled will not be displayed.
#FlandersNewsService | The coastal tram at the Belgian coast © PHOTO IMAGO/XBONN.DIGITALX/XMARCXJOHNX
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