Train delays, cancellations in Rotterdam and the Hague

There was a disruption in train traffic from Rotterdam and the Hague this morning. Early this morning five trains, with a total of 200 passengers, were stranded in and around Rotterdam due to a signaling and points failure. Due to the failure, no trains could travel to or from Rotterdam. Stranded passengers continued their journeys on buses and taxis. The trains around Rotterdam were running again from 04:30 a.m. this morning. NS reported on Twitter that there will be fewer trains to and from the Hague station this morning. The reason for this is "staff shortages" due to a scheduled staff meeting. A spokesman for the railways confirmed that about 150 drivers and conductors will not be working this morning as they will be in consultation with the NS Executive Board. This caused delays and cancellations of trains. The stoppage of work was scheduled from 04:00 a.m. to approximately 06:30 a.m. The NS staff feel that they have too little time for transferring between trains and arranged the meeting to discuss the issue. According to Omroep West, the meeting could possibly lead to a strike that would affect all the rail traffic in the country. A spokesperson for trade union VVMC reported that it won't go that far. According to the spokesperson, it was decided to have a meeting with NS again on Friday to discuss the problems of the workers.