Major disruptions to train services are occurring across the Netherlands on Friday as railway workers stage their third strike in just over a week. The strike, concentrated in the northern and southern regions, is significantly impacting the national train operator NS.

Travelers are urged to consult the NS app for up-to-the-minute details regarding service updates. While regional trains operated by other companies are maintaining their regular schedules, EuroCity trains heading to Brussels are facing cancellations.

The labor action is anticipated to cause ripple effects on various events slated to begin on Friday. The Best Kept Secret festival in Hilvarenbeek has proactively organized bus routes from Tilburg, Oss, Breda, and Zaltbommel to ensure attendees can reach the festival grounds. Similarly, those traveling to the Oerol festival on Terschelling island can avail themselves of bus services from Utrecht and Amsterdam Sloterdijk station to the Harlingen ferry terminal.

Railway workers are demanding a 6% wage increase, a figure that NS has not yet agreed to, with their current offer standing at 2.55%. In addition to pay, unions are pushing for enhanced early retirement benefits for employees in physically demanding roles.

While the morning commute is expected to be relatively unaffected, the infrastructure ministry has cautioned drivers to anticipate heavier traffic during the evening rush hour, compounded by anticipated storms in the southern part of the country.