7 July 2008

BELGIUM – Tram drivers who protested against the increasing danger they face against aggressive passengers on Saturday and went on strike are back at work on Sunday.

The tram service that links the towns along the Flemish Coast came to a halt on Saturday evening after the tram drivers went on a strike.

The tram drivers downed tools after a tram was shot at in the popular resort of Blankenberge. One of the tram's windows was broken by an air-riffle pellet, no one was injured in the incident that occurred at around 10:30pm.

A union spokesman told VRT television that the incident was the fifth of its kind in recent months and the tram drivers' patience is wearing thin.

The unions feel that a series of measures to improve security, introduced by the Flemish public transport company De Lijn, are insufficient.

De Lijn's spokesman Dirk Schockaert announced that talks are to be held between his company and the trades unions about fresh measures to improve security for tram drivers and passengers.

De Lijn is also to discuss the issue with police representatives from along the Flemish Coast.

Brussels bus driver beaten
Two teenagers were detained after they beat a bus driver with a belt.

The two youngsters boarded bus 43 in the Brussels municipality of Ukkel at around 7:30 am on Saturday after a night out.

Eye witnesses say that the two teenagers were clearly under the influence of drink and their rowdy behaviour served to upset their fellow passengers.

They shouted at the driver that they wanted to get off the bus, but as they were between stops he drove on.

The young boys then hurled abuse at the driver before hitting him several times with a belt.

[flandersnews.be / Expatica]