Netherlands: Regional Bus and Transit Strikes to Start the Week of October 12

October 7, 2026 — A union ultimatum to Dutch regional transport employers expired at noon on Wednesday without a deal. The unions FNV and CNV say strikes will begin in the week of October 12 and could repeat every week until the end of the year. They will announce the first actions on Friday, October 9.

The details

Who: FNV and CNV, representing about 13,000 workers in regional public transport. The employers’ group is VWOV.
Operators affected: Arriva, Qbuzz, Keolis and Transdev. Whether their regional trains are included has not been stated.
Not affected: National rail operator NS is not part of this dispute.
When: Strikes start in the week of Monday, October 12. Days, regions and companies are TBA. The unions are holding them back so employers cannot prepare.
How long: The unions say actions may recur weekly until Christmas.
Why: Talks on a new collective agreement have run for eight rounds since March. FNV says 97% of its members backed action. Demands include a 6% raise and limits on workload.
Employers’ view: VWOV says it made a comprehensive offer and that strikes will hurt passengers who are not party to the dispute.
Minimum service and refunds: Nothing has been published.

What it means for airline travelers

Amsterdam Schiphol: NS trains to the airport are not part of this dispute. Some regional bus routes around the airport may be, so check your route once the unions name the operators.
Regional airports: Eindhoven, Rotterdam The Hague, Groningen and Maastricht depend more on buses. Plan a taxi or a lift on strike days.
Wait for Friday’s announcement before changing plans. The first strike days will be known at noon Dutch time on October 9.
Standby travelers should allow extra time to reach the airport from the week of October 12 and check the 9292 journey planner on the day.
Trips to smaller towns and tourist sites away from the NS network are the most exposed.