Trains to and from The Hague were cancelled or delayed on Tuesday morning when 150 employees did not turn up for work, leaving the NS with a shortage of drivers and conductors between 4.00 and 6.30 hours.

The NS workers were holding talks with management on the pressure of work which gives them no time when changing from one train service to another, and on the safety and cleanliness of trains, according to Dutch media.

The workers initiated the talks but are supported by their union, the VVMC.

A union representative told website nu.nl that the management in The Hague have until Friday to respond to the employees’ concerns when there will be further talks.

On Monday night, five trains around Rotterdam came to a stand-still because of signalling problems, stranding hundreds of passengers for up to several hours.

Buses were eventually brought in to take them home.