Regional transport staff started a two-day strike in support of their 3%  pay claim and improved working conditions on Monday, causing widespread disruption to bus services and some local trains.

‘Some things have to change,’ one striking bus driver in Utrecht told broadcaster NOS. In particular, drivers are protesting about the tight timetables and pressure of work, plus restrictions on toilet breaks.

The bus drivers first went on strike in January.

Employers had tried to have today’s strike declared illegal in court, but judges ruled the right to strike is more important than the impact of the strike on society at large, NOS said.

Public transport companies in the bigger cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague is not affected by the strike because they fall under a different pay and conditions agreement.

NS trains are not affected but some Arriva and other local trains services have been hit.