The NS has announced a strike for Friday, June 13. This is the day that festivals like Best Kept Secret and Into The Grave begin. Visitors who planned to come by train can expect significant travel disruptions.
Best Kept Secret has updated visitors on its website about the NS strike on Friday. No trains will run that day in Noord-Brabant, Zeeland, Limburg, and parts of the northern Netherlands.
The festival in Hilvarenbeek starts on Friday, and the organization has arranged extra bus transport for visitors from the NS stations in Oss, Breda, and Zaltbommel.
“Although this brought unexpected extra costs and a lot of last-minute challenges, because the availability of buses and drivers was limited, we worked closely together to arrange extra travel options,” the organization writes on the website. “This way, we can still bring as many of you to the festival as possible.”
On Friday, shuttle buses will still run from Tilburg station to the festival site for people who can reach the station in other ways. The organization asks visitors who are coming by car and have space to carpool with others. The rest of the weekend, trains and shuttle buses will run as normal, the festival organization reports.
Into The Grave Uses WhatsApp Community
Into The Grave also warned its visitors on Thursday about the train strike on Friday. The metal festival in Leeuwarden tried to open the campsite tonight, but this turned out not to be feasible due to permit issues.
Therefore, another solution has been devised. “For everyone who cannot come to the festival, a WhatsApp community is available,” the organization writes on Instagram. “In this group, you can offer a ride to other visitors and ask if you can ride with someone from your area. Help each other where possible!”
On Monday, June 16, NS employees may also stop work in North and South Netherlands. Visitors to Best Kept Secret and Into The Grave must still find their way home that Monday after leaving the festival campsite.