Flemish operator De Lijn warns of severe bus and tram disruption on 9 and 12 October

Regional transport company De Lijn, which runs most bus and tram services across Flanders and the Brussels periphery, published an updated strike bulletin confirming that its timetable would be “seriously disrupted” on both 9 October and 12 October. The notice, posted on the operator’s dedicated industrial-action page, urges passengers to consult the online route-planner before travelling because non-operating trips are automatically removed from the planner. Unlike STIB, De Lijn has released an initial list of routes that will operate a ‘minimum service’, focusing on commuter corridors into Antwerp, Ghent and Leuven business parks. However, services connecting Brussels Airport to high-tech clusters in Leuven’s Haasrode and Antwerp’s Hoboken Innovation District are expected to run at less than 30 % of normal frequency. Employers that subsidise commuter passes for foreign assignees should therefore anticipate taxi or car-sharing claims. De Lijn says an alternative timetable for Monday’s action will be posted on Saturday evening, 10 October, giving companies a narrow window to brief staff. Because the union notice affects both driving and maintenance staff, there is a risk of last-minute cancellations if sick-leave levels spike. The operator provides downloadable delay certificates for employees needing proof of force majeure. For global-mobility teams overseeing split-site Belgian operations, the disruption underscores the value of flexible working arrangements. Deloitte Belgium reports that clients with strong telecommuting policies have cut taxi expenditure during previous strikes by up to 50 %. Firms should also audit car-park capacity, as private vehicles will likely surge, exacerbating congestion on the R0 ring road. If the October actions fail to yield concessions from the federal government, unions have signalled a possible escalation in November, including coordinated walkouts at Charleroi Airport and the Port of Antwerp. Mobility managers should therefore incorporate strike scenarios into 2027 budget planning.