The Full Story of Belgium’s RER: Funding, Permits, and Politics

2023-11-20 14:07:00

Basically, the objective was simple: copy the Parisian model by offering four trains per hour to the capital within a radius of 30 kilometers from it, to encourage motorists to abandon their vehicles in favor of the train. With a dual environmental and economic impact, traffic jams generate an annual cost of more than 4 billion euros for society.

But a lack of funding and other administrative inconveniences (permits were revoked at the Council of State) considerably delayed the work which, stopped for a few years, only resumed in 2018. “Since then, the The timing is wonderfully respected,” says Benoît Gilson, CEO of Infrabel, the manager of the Belgian rail network, and the site. “This is despite coronavirus and Ukraine having a considerable impact on material delivery times and costs.”

It should have seen the light of day 20 years ago, it will not be finished for 10 years: the RER, the Loch Ness monster of Belgian mobility

It was necessary for the former Minister of Mobility, François Bellot, to manage to release his “virtuous billion of euros” to restart the machines. And confirmation by Minister Gilkinet that the envelopes necessary to complete the project would be assured.

Since 2018, Infrabel has worked hard to meet the schedule, despite the brakes linked to the covid crisis and the explosion in raw material costs since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine. ©Bernard Demoulin

Work on the RER therefore resumed in 2018. And, this Monday, a section of the RER was put into service for the first time, between Ottignies and the junction towards Louvain-la-Neuve, on line 161. A small section by the size (barely 2.5 kilometers) but large in symbolism. “For the first time in Wallonia, we are using a plate with four tracks,” comments Benoît Gilson. This is a major step forward for commuters. Until now, when an omnibus train was late, the IC trains were stuck behind. From now on, omnibus trains will no longer block others. This will ultimately enable train punctuality to be improved.”

If a first section has just been put into service on line 161, we will still have to wait a little before the RER is 100% active on this line. According to the current schedule, the section between La Hulpe and Brussels will be put into service in 2025, and that between Ottignies and La Hulpe a year later. “But we should not wait until 100% of the line is operational to already launch the RER there,” comments Georges Gilkinet, Federal Minister of Mobility. As soon as possible, we set fruit. This allows faster trains to overtake slower ones on four-track sections. This already saves undeniable time for commuters. And it will be even better when the whole line is operational.”

The RER finalized in Flanders, Linkebeek and Rhode block the Walloons

Linkebeek residents still do not want an RER behind their homes. ©Benedicte Maindiaux

While the RER is still in its infancy in the south of the country, some may be surprised that it is already 100% active in Flanders. Should we see this as the realization of a preferential timetable for the North of the country? No, refutes the CEO of Infrabel, Benoît Gilson. “The reasons for the delay in Wallonia are threefold: firstly, particularly long procedures for obtaining permits in Wallonia. Then a lack of funding in the 2000s which forced us to stop the work. Getting this back up and running took a long time and cost a lot of money. But every day that passes is a day late.”

RER: still no permit in Rhode and Linkebeek!

And then came the difficulties of obtaining Flemish permits on the sections joining Brussels to Wallonia. In Rhode and Linkebeek, on Line 124 between Brussels and Ottignies, the permits granted were canceled. And for years, work was stopped. “It was only from 2018 that we decided to move forward on the Walloon portions, despite not obtaining permits in Rhode and Linkebeek. This will make it possible to move to four bands – and therefore for fast trains to overtake slow ones – between Nivelles and Waterloo while waiting to find a solution for the linkebeek bottleneck.”

A project to revise the Grup in Flanders – the equivalent of the CodT (formerly Cwatupe) in Wallonia – should be completed in December. “We can then introduce permits for Linkebeek and Rhode.”

“Some lack political courage”

In the best case scenario, this might lead to the finalization of the RER on line 124 – and therefore in Wallonia – in 2033 at best. “But we are not immune from recourse,” Minister Gilkinet already comments. A group of Linkebeek residents systematically tries to block the project. It is very damaging that the interests of a few take precedence over those of the community.”

The minister also says he is not very optimistic regarding the intentions of the municipality of Linkebeek to support the appeals of its residents. “It takes political courage to make a decision that prioritizes the general interest over individual interests. But it seems that as the elections approach, some people lack this courage.”

Here is the updated RER work schedule

Line 161 might be finalized in 2026. It will be necessary to wait until 2033, at best, to finalize line 124 between Nivelles and Brussels. ©IPM Graphics
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