World

Transport chaos likely as public sector strike hits trains, buses, subway in Belgian capital

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A man walks down an empty platform at Brussels Midi Station during a train strike on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Both Eurostar and Thalys international trains were affected by the strike as well as local Belgian train service. (AP Photo/Thierry Monasse) (The Associated Press)

Empty train tracks at Brussels Midi Station during a train strike on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Both Eurostar and Thalys international trains were affected by the strike as well as local Belgian train service. (AP Photo/Thierry Monasse) (The Associated Press)

Passengers walk through a quiet Brussels Midi Station during a train strike on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Both Eurostar and Thalys international trains were affected by the strike as well as local Belgian train service. (AP Photo/Thierry Monasse) (The Associated Press)

Traffic in Europe's capital, Brussels, is set to grind to a halt as public sector workers hold a one-day strike over Belgian government austerity measures.

National SNCB train, bus and underground rail services will be hit by the strike, to run until midnight Wednesday.

Eurostar trains to Brussels will also be halted for the day, although those between London and Paris will run as normal. Thalys fast trains to Amsterdam, Cologne and Paris will also be hit.

Brussels airport authorities say that no delays are expected there, although getting to the airport itself will prove difficult.

Postal workers and teachers, as well as some police and fire services, are also set to join the strike.