Thursday’s rail strike is not going ahead but there will be fewer trains in Noord-Holland and the east of the country, because of preparations which have already been made to deal with disruption, state-owned NS has said.

The unions have not given “official” notification of the strike 36 hours in advance, as they are required to do, and that means it will not now take place, NS said.

A spokesman for the CNV rail union told news agency ANP that the decision not to strike had been taken to put further pressure on the NS by being unpredictable.

All NS services were halted on Tuesday because of the unions strike action. The NS has offered a 2.55% pay rise but the unions say they want compensation for inflation. The strikes follow 4.5 months of talks without conclusion.

Meanwhile, the AD reports that tens of thousands of rail users have summited claims to have their travel costs reimbursed because of the strikes on Friday and Tuesday. Travellers can claim up to €25 if they are unable to use the train.

Passengers are asked to provide evidence of alternative transport, such a bus or taxi. They can also claim 23 cents a kilometre if they use their own cars.