Amsterdam's public transport company GVB kicked off three days of actions on Monday in protest at the government's planned budget cuts to the sector.

There will be fewer trams, buses and metros in service across the capital. The Hague and Rotterdam will see similar actions on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

As part of the strike, GVB will scrap tram routes 14 and 25 and cut a substantial number of bus routes. Two of the ferries between Central Station and north Amsterdam will not be running during rush hour. All other trams, buses and metros will run less frequently.

The actions are intended to make clear to passengers the consequences of the budget cuts. The government plans to cut 120 million euros from the public transport budgets of the three main cities. Many tram and bus routes would be either scrapped or shortened.

Parliamentary party leaders Job Cohen (Labour Party), Emile Roemer (Socialist Party) and Jolande Sap (GreenLeft) attended a demonstration outside Amsterdam Central Station in a show of support.

(gsh/lo/imm)

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