2023-10-02 16:37:00
By Editing with Belga
5 hours ago
Several public transport networks will be affected by this Thursday’s demonstration, even if there are big exceptions.
Stib agents manage tram and bus traffic in Brussels, February 25, 2023 ©BelgaImage
Public transport will be disrupted on Thursday, October 5, due to the national strike day led as a common front, the three regional companies (Stib, Tec and De Lijn) announced on Friday. The unions denounce the proposed judicial ban on demonstrations.
SNCB spared
As the common front has called for a national strike, some of the staff of these companies might take part in the demonstration. The Stib management therefore expects disruptions all day in Brussels, without being able to estimate the extent of the movement at this stage. Travelers will be informed in real time on the company’s various communication media (social networks, apps, website, etc.).
In Wallonia, Tec also expects rough traffic. The company recommends anticipating trips by consulting the deleted routes which will be visible via the time search on the letec.be website and the Tec application from Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. Le Tec even advises providing an alternative to public transport.
In the north of the country, De Lijn indicates that tram and bus traffic throughout Flanders and in Brussels will be disrupted. It is currently developing adapted schedules which can be consulted Tuesday evening on its website.
On the SNCB side, no disruption is expected, indicated the spokesperson for the railway company, Dimitri Temmerman. The unions have not filed strike notice for staff. This is often the case when the rally is planned in Brussels, in order to transport the activists to the capital.
Denounce the proposed ban on demonstrations
The three unions (FGTB, CSC and CGSLB) and various civil society organizations are protesting once morest the proposed judicial ban on demonstrations. This ban threatens the democratic right to demonstrate, according to them. Several protest actions had already been organized before the summer.
At the beginning of July, the Justice Committee gave its approval to the bill from Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne.aimed at making justice more humane, faster and more punitive“. The bill notably addresses the judicial ban on demonstrations, giving judges the ability to ban rioters from demonstrating for a certain period of time.
However, some fear that it might become a lever to also restrict peaceful demonstrations.
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