Tensions between Belgian Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) and the NMBS appear to be escalating further.
The minister intervened in a decision by the railway company not to implement the planned expansion of the train service at the end of this year. The NMBS had previously decided to postpone a significant expansion of the service by at least one year, due to a shortage of train drivers and high absenteeism among the staff. However, this was against the grain of Gilkinet, who called on the board of directors of the NMBS to review the decision.
The outgoing minister had already made his dissatisfaction known at the beginning of September. Through his spokesman, he announced at the time that the railway company had to reconsider its plans and implicitly warned that postponing the expansion could have consequences for the financing of the NMBS. However, this warning had no effect on the management of the railways, who maintained their decision.
strategy
The plans that are currently being discussed are not just temporary ideas. They are part of a larger strategy by NMBS to attract 2032 percent more passengers by 30. Part of that strategy is the gradual introduction of additional train services, with more trains during the weekend and late at night, especially around the larger cities. This second phase of the expansion plan was scheduled for December 2024. The contract between NMBS and the government in which these plans are laid down also contains the necessary financing to make the expansion possible.
However, according to NMBS, it is not possible to implement the plans now, mainly due to the shortage of personnel. The railway company states that it simply could not recruit enough new train drivers and that the number of sick reports among the current staff is higher than expected. As a result, there would be insufficient drivers available to support the expansion. This argument does not seem to have been sufficient for Gilkinet.
In the meantime, the minister has decided to go a step further and has formally reversed the decision of the NMBS. According to his office, the “discussions with the NMBS are ongoing”, which implicitly indicates that the negotiations between the two parties are not yet over. Gilkinet's action is remarkable, because it is very unusual for a resigning minister to intervene in a strategic decision of a government company, especially so shortly before the implementation of the plan.
The fact that the minister overrules the board of directors of the NMBS has led to various reactions within political and public circles. Some sources call the intervention of the minister "technical in nature", suggesting that it may be a matter of procedure. Nevertheless, it remains exceptional for a minister to exercise such a great influence on the policy of a government agency in the final phase of his term of office. Moreover, it is a strong signal that the minister intends to push through, despite the resistance of the NMBS.
new course
The ball is now back in the court of the railway company. NMBS must respond to Gilkinet's decision and set a new course for the coming months. It is still unclear how NMBS management will deal with this interference and whether the expansion of the train service can still take place on time. One possibility is that the railways will renegotiate with the government to reach a compromise, perhaps by implementing the expansion in phases or requesting additional financial support for hiring more staff.
It is clear that this issue has put considerable pressure on the cooperation between the Minister of Mobility and the NMBS. Both parties have major interests in this conflict, particularly because the plans to attract more passengers to the railways are crucial for the future of Belgian public transport. Whether the strategy of the NMBS can be implemented as planned will have to become clear in the coming weeks. The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether the expansion of the train service can still start this year, or whether there will be further delays.
