Brussels public-transport operator STIB-MIVB has published an exceptional early advisory stating that its entire metro, tram and bus network is likely to be “heavily disrupted” on Friday 9 October 2026 due to a national strike called by Belgium’s major trade unions. The notice, posted on 3 October, indicates that staff participation and the march route through the city centre could force intermittent line closures and station shutdowns from the start of service. Particularly affected is bus Route 12—Brussels City to Brussels Airport—widely used by expatriates and business travellers. STIB cannot yet specify which lines will run but says a skeleton service will be attempted where staffing allows. A dedicated contact centre will open at 06:00 on strike day, and real-time updates will be distributed through the STIB app, WhatsApp channel and social media feeds. For employers managing inbound assignments or same-day business visits, the timing is awkward: the strike falls in the middle of the EU Council budget week, when hotel occupancy and taxi demand are already high. Global-mobility teams should notify travellers to build in alternative surface options such as pre-booked taxis, shared shuttles or even rail, bearing in mind concurrent engineering works that could affect connections. The strike also illustrates a broader pattern of escalating labour actions ahead of Belgium’s 2027 elections, adding complexity for relocation programmes that rely on predictable local transport. Companies with posted workers should ensure mobility allowances remain fit for purpose when taxis replace season tickets. STIB further cautions that another protest on Monday 12 October could spill over into the following working week. Mobility managers are therefore advised to treat the whole 9–12 October window as high-risk for urban travel and to brief employees accordingly.
Source: STIB-MIVB
