DB and NMBS extend their successful collaboration on the ICE Brussels for another five years.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) celebrates 20 years of ICE Brussels. More and more travelers are using the cross-border high-speed traffic between Germany and Belgium. For the first time in 2022, DB expects that more than one million passengers will use the ICE Brussels to travel to Belgium or Germany. DB and NMBS extend their successful collaboration on the ICE Brussels for another five years. The NMBS is responsible for the operation of the ICE Brussels on the Belgian route section and also offers transit options in its own country. It is also a ticketing and customer service partner.
“Never before have so many people opted for climate-friendly rail between Germany and Belgium as this year. With one million travelers to and from Brussels, we are aiming for a record. Taking the right course twenty years ago is paying off today. And from 2024 we will make train travel to Brussels even more attractive with new trains and more comfort.”
From 2024, the ICE 3neo will be deployed between Germany and Belgium. The new ICE has 439 seats and offers even more space and comfort for passengers; These include transmissive glass windows for stable mobile phone reception, eight bicycle parking spaces in each train, newly designed luggage racks, lighting with shades that change depending on the time of day, tablet holders on the seats and power sockets on all seats, including at 2nd class. Additional doors speed up boarding and alighting at the stations. A new lift makes wheelchair access easier. In total, DB currently offers seven direct connections in each direction between Frankfurt/Main and Brussels. At around three hours, the travel time is unparalleled. In addition, two more trains are running on Sunday evening that connect Brussels and Cologne after 20.00 p.m., according to the German railway company.
Photo above: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock.com.
“Once a pioneer, now the ICE is a pillar of sustainable mobility. This experience connects us every day with Deutsche Bahn: our teams have been working together for 20 years and the ICE connects Brussels directly to Frankfurt via Aachen and Cologne. And now up to 7 times a day with many connections to other cities such as Berlin or Munich. Trains represent safe, sustainable and comfortable travel and are an important tool for achieving climate goals. And with more than 3.600 international destinations, more than 1.000 of which can be reached in less than 6 hours, Brussels positions itself as an international rail hub.”
