Belgian public-sector strike cuts Brussels transport as budget dispute deepens
Metro, tram and rail services were reduced on Monday; the action follows Friday’s Brussels march.
Belgium's public-sector strike disrupted travel in Brussels on Monday as a dispute over proposed federal budget measures moved from Friday's mass demonstration into the transport network. STIB-MIVB said at 07:45 local time that all metro lines were operating less frequently.
The transport picture
Tram routes 18, 35, 39, 44 and 93 were not running, while other trams and all bus routes had reduced services. STIB said its network position could change during the day.
Rail plans
The national rail operator, SNCB, planned an alternative timetable from late Sunday through Monday. It expected around seven in ten intercity trains and one in two local and suburban trains to run, with few peak-hour services. These are planned proportions, not a verified final count of trains that ran.
The political dispute
SNCB said the CGSP union called the rail stoppage against proposed government budget measures. The action is separate from the Brussels march on Friday 9 October, when police estimated 30,000 participants. Monday’s documented service disruption does not establish a new crowd estimate, clashes or a government concession.
Sources & verification
Sources checked: 12 October 2026
