Railway company NS warns that strike on Friday will severely impact train travel
NS advises passengers to reschedule or cancel trips, as train services will be severely disrupted due to a planned strike on Friday.
Dutch railway company NS is urging passengers to seek alternative travel arrangements or cancel their trips altogether, as a planned strike by train drivers' union VVMC on Friday is expected to cause significant disruptions to train services.
The strike action is set to begin at 00:00 on Friday, May 12, and will continue until 23:59 on the same day. During this period, NS anticipates that only a very limited number of trains will be operational, primarily on the major routes between Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Eindhoven.
Passengers are advised to check the NS website or app for the latest updates on train services before embarking on their journeys. The company also recommends that travelers consider alternative modes of transportation, such as buses or cars.
Affected routes and services
The strike will affect all NS train services, including Intercity Direct, Intercity, Sprinter, and Sneltrein trains. Regional train services will also be impacted, with a reduced number of trains running on the following lines:
- Utrecht - Den Bosch
- Utrecht - Zwolle
- Utrecht - Arnhem
- Schiphol - Leiden
- Rotterdam - Dordrecht
- The Hague - Gouda
- Eindhoven - Venlo
International train services to and from the Netherlands will also be affected by the strike, with some services being canceled or diverted.
Reason for the strike
The VVMC union is calling for a wage increase of 10% and improved working conditions for train drivers. The union and NS have been engaged in negotiations for several months, but no agreement has been reached.
NS has expressed regret for the inconvenience that the strike will cause passengers and has urged the union to reconsider its decision. The company has also stated that it is committed to continuing negotiations with the VVMC.
Alternative travel options
Passengers who are unable to reschedule or cancel their trips are advised to consider alternative modes of transportation, such as buses or cars.
Several bus companies offer services between major Dutch cities, including FlixBus, BlaBlaBus, and Eurolines. Travelers can also rent a car from one of the many car rental companies operating in the Netherlands.
Conclusion
The planned strike by train drivers on Friday, May 12, is expected to cause significant disruptions to train travel in the Netherlands. Passengers are advised to seek alternative travel arrangements or cancel their trips altogether.
NS is urging passengers to check the company's website or app for the latest updates on train services before embarking on their journeys.
