NS Trains Halted Nationwide Due to Staff Strike

Strike In Central Netherlands Halts Services Throughout The Country
Although the action is confined to Central Netherlands, it has a knock-on effect across the country because the area plays a crucial role in maintaining rail timetables and infrastructure. Only one line, from Amsterdam to Schiphol, is running, and sprinters are running four times an hour in both directions on it.

Alternate transportation is not available. 'A train takes a thousand people, a bus fifty, so that is impossible to organize', an NS spokesperson said.

The strike came after wage talks broke down between NS and the FNV union, which had rejected an annual pay increase of 2.55 percent, saying it was too low in light of continuing inflation. The strike was called off after the NS failed to meet the union's final demands on Tuesday.

"We respect the concerns of our colleagues and also respect their right to strike," NS said. "But we do apologize to travelers. "We are open to continuing discussions.

For Now, Roads Remain Clear, Weekend Still in Question
De ANWB voorziet vandaag vooralsnog geen problemen op de weg: op vrijdagen zijn er doorgaans minder files. With the Pentecost weekend ahead, traffic is also expected to be busier this afternoon in North Brabant and Gelderland between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

NS expects to restore regular train service at 4:00 a.m. Saturday but cautions that weekend travel could still be affected by disruptions.

More strikes have been planned for next Tuesday in West Netherlands, and for Thursday in Northwest and East Netherlands. Should the conflict continue, more industrial actions will follow on Monday, 16 June and Tuesday, 17 June, north and south of the Netherlands. NS recommends passengers to take this into account when planning their journey.