The Belgian railways are once again in the spotlight, but this time not because of an innovative breakthrough or an expansion of the network.
On the contrary, the recent announcement by NMBS to introduce a new international express train between Amsterdam and Brussels-South has led to strong criticism and concern among domestic travellers. This decision seems, according to various stakeholders, to do more harm than good for daily commuters in Belgium. The core of the problem lies in the impact that this new international connection will have on the domestic train offer.
From December 2024, the introduction of the “IC-Snel” will have major consequences for domestic train services, especially on the crucial north-south connection through Brussels. To make room for this new train, which will not be accessible to domestic passengers on the route between Antwerp-Central and Brussels-South, domestic trains will be postponed, cancelled or drastically reduced.
One of the biggest concerns is the loss of the direct connection between Genk and the coast on weekdays. This decision will not only affect the residents of Genk, but also the wider region of the Maasland. In addition, the weekend connections in Limburg will be overhauled, which will lead to chaos and dissatisfaction among travelers who depend on seamless connections between bus and train.
Travelers from Kortrijk to the popular coastal destination of Blankenberge will also be affected, as they will now have to wait half an hour for a connection in Bruges. This will result in extra travel time and inconvenience, especially during the busy summer months. Even more worrying is the prospect for travelers from Waremme to Brussels, who will be forced to travel via the airport, adding as much as 20 minutes to their daily travel time.
For the IC station Mortsel-Oude-God the consequences are even dramatic. The service is halved to only one train per hour, even during rush hours. This decision will undoubtedly lead to overcrowded trains and great frustration among commuters who depend on this connection every day.
weakened spine
The Antwerp-Brussels axis, which connects Belgium's two largest cities, has been known for years as one of the country's least-served main lines. The announcement that every fourth domestic IC train on this route will be cancelled from December has led to outrage. Commuters who travel from Antwerp to Brussels every day will no longer have a single IC train available in either direction between x.25 and x.54. This poor distribution of trains is unacceptable to many, especially given the NMBS's promise to transport 30% more domestic passengers in the long term. This decision is in stark contrast to that promise and seems more aimed at reducing capacity on an already overloaded line.
It is remarkable that a well-occupied train is being cancelled to make way for a new international connection that is not accessible to domestic passengers. This while the demand for domestic train connections is actually increasing. The decision seems to be in conflict with the public service contract (ODC) between the federal state and the NMBS, which aims for a reliable and sufficient train service for domestic passengers.
consultation
What makes the situation even more dire is the total lack of transparency and communication from NMBS. Passenger associations, local authorities and even the federal parliament have all asked in vain for clarification on the introduction of the “IC-Snel” and the consequences for domestic rail traffic. NMBS has so far largely ignored the questions and concerns of those involved, which further undermines confidence in the railway company.
The passenger association TreinTramBus, together with various cities and municipalities, therefore issued a open letter written to NMBS CEO Sophie Dutordoir. In this letter they demand urgent consultation to adjust the proposed plans. They ask, among other things, to make the “IC-Snel” accessible to domestic travellers, with service to the most important hubs, without extra surcharge or reservation. In addition, they insist on a more balanced distribution of the trains on the Antwerp-Brussels axis, so that the train service in West Flanders and Limburg remains unaffected.
revision
The situation raises urgent questions about the priorities of the NMBS and the way in which they fulfil their responsibilities towards domestic passengers. While international connections are undoubtedly important, this should not be at the expense of domestic train users, who rely on a reliable and efficient rail network every day. The hope is that, under pressure from public opinion and local authorities, the NMBS will be prepared to review their plans and ensure a more balanced and fairer train service for all passengers.
