The Board of Directors of NMBS has confirmed that the train service for 2025, as previously decided on 6 September, will be maintained.
This reconfirmation follows the earlier decision of annulment by Minister Georges Gilkinet, who criticism had on certain parts of the plan. The NMBS now calls on the minister to submit the new train service to the Council of Ministers as soon as possible, as stipulated in article 8 of the Public Service Contract. The train service is a crucial part of the 2023-2026 transport plan and will come into effect from 15 December 2024.
A notable expansion in the offer is the increase in the number of train kilometers by almost 2%, on top of the 1% growth that was already implemented in 2024. An important part of this plan is the reintroduction of 220 trains that were temporarily taken out of service in 2022 due to an acute staff shortage during the covid crisis. This measure is a first step towards an ambitious target of 10% growth by 2032, as laid down in the NMBS public service contract.
extension
The 2025 transport plan provides for various expansions, especially in the area of suburban train services (S-trains). For example, around Antwerp, the S-train between Puurs, Antwerp and Essen will now run twice an hour on Saturdays. This follows on from an earlier expansion where this train has also been running with this frequency between Antwerp and Essen on weekdays since the beginning of September. In addition, the S81 line between Schaarbeek and Louvain-la-Neuve will not only run during peak hours, but all day from June 2025. This means a third S-train per hour between Brussels and Ottignies, which also stops in the European quarter.
For passengers on the Ghent–Lokeren–Oudenaarde–Ronse line, the train service will be expanded with an extra train per hour. This will provide more capacity and a better connection to the regional network. The “Dampoortexpress”, a peak hour train between Sint-Niklaas, Lokeren, Ghent-Dampoort and Brussels, will also return to its original timetable with arrival in Brussels-South at 8:30. This train was previously modified due to a conflict with Eurostar.
"The Board of Directors asks the Minister to submit this train offer for 2025 to the Council of Ministers for approval as soon as possible, as provided for in Article 8 of the Public Service Contract," said Bart Crols, spokesperson for NMBS.
One of the most striking changes in the new offering is the reinforcement of the international train services of the NMBS, in collaboration with foreign partners. From December 2024, there will be a new fast international connection between Brussels-South and Amsterdam-South, which will run 16 times a day. This service will be operated with new ICNG trainsets from the Dutch Railways (NS). The new connection is in addition to the existing IC train that travels to the Netherlands via Brussels Airport and Rotterdam. This expansion will double the number of trains between Brussels and the Netherlands, which not only increases capacity but also reduces travel time.
alternative
A new traditional train connection is also being set up to Paris, via Mons. This offers an alternative to high-speed services and is aimed at travellers looking for a comfortable and sustainable means of transport between the Belgian and French capitals. On the domestic front, there are various changes to improve the efficiency and punctuality of the network. One example of this is the reduction in the number of IC trains between Antwerp and Brussels, from five to four per hour, one of which goes to Brussels Airport. This decision was taken due to capacity problems on the track and the fact that a train path was allocated to the Eurostar due to higher infrastructure fees.
In addition, improvements will be made to the line between Brussels-Luxembourg and Nivelles, and between Brussels-Luxembourg and Enghien, with a significant increase in the number of trains from June 2025. This is possible because the railway line between Brussels and Sint-Job in Ukkel will have been fully restored by then, after years of work on the Carsoel Bridge. An important objective of the new transport plan is to improve the robustness and punctuality of rail traffic. This will be achieved by implementing route changes for a number of L and IC trains around Mons and Dendermonde. Adjustments will also be made to other lines, such as the IC line between Liège-Guillemins and Brussels. Although the expansion of the infrastructure will increase the journey time slightly, this will be compensated for by new travel options, including a transfer option in Landen.
future
NMBS is determined to present an updated forecast of the evolution of the number of driving staff by December 2024, which is essential for the further implementation of the 2023-2026 transport plan. In doing so, NMBS wants to secure the long-term objectives of the Public Service Contract, including a 10% growth in train services by 2032.
The new transport plan for 2025 not only marks an important step forward in the further development of the Belgian railway network, but also a solid basis for international cooperation and the improvement of daily commuting.
