Despite pressure from Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo), NMBS stuck to its decision to expand the train offering less strongly than first planned. The railway company is facing a shortage of train drivers and has postponed a number of projects.
In addition to expanding the offering by almost 2 percent, NMBS is also bringing back 220 trains per week that had previously been canceled due to staffing problems. For example, this concerns a second S train per hour during peak hours between Antwerp and Herentals and a number of P trains around Ghent, Geraardsbergen and Kortrijk.
Schaerbeek
The new train connections are mainly for suburban S-traffic. Around Antwerp, the S-train between Puurs, Antwerp and Essen will now run twice an hour on Saturdays. Around Ghent, an S-train will run every hour all day between Ghent, Lokeren, Oudenaarde and Ronse. Also, from June 2025, the S81 between Schaarbeek, Brussels-Schuman, Ottignies and Louvain-la-Neuve will run all day, instead of only during rush hour.
The most important novelty, however, is that only four instead of five IC trains per hour will run on the main rail axis between Antwerp and Brussels on weekdays. The NMBS lost place on the track to the provider of international train connections Eurostar.
NMBS must adjust the timetables of a number of other trains.
Train Drama: NMBS and the Daring Driver-less Dilemma
Ah, the NMBS! Belgium’s railway company, where trains are more like suggestions than a reliable mode of transport. Despite the pleas and pressure from Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet from the green party Ecolo—because obviously, we need more green in our lives—NMBS has decided to abandon its grand vision of expanding train services with the gusto of a child avoiding chores. Newsflash: we seem to have a shortage of train drivers!
Now, don’t fret too much! They’re still increasing service by a whopping 2 percent. Yes, 2 percent! That’s less impressive than a modest diet couldn’t lose just two more calories. However, on the bright side, they are bringing back 220 trains a week that were previously canceled—because who wouldn’t want to feel like a time traveler returning to a monotony of rail schedules?
Suburban S-traffic, Baby!
Now, for those of you living in suburbia, rejoice! If you happen to reside near Antwerp, you can now catch an S-train from Puurs to Antwerp and Essen, running twice an hour on Saturdays. A gift from the NMBS, just in time to get you off your couch and into the local pub—talk about a tactical move! Meanwhile, around Ghent, an S-train will grace the tracks every hour, which makes one wonder if they’re trying to replicate a club DJ’s setlist—more often doesn’t always mean better, love!
The Big Train Downsize
But wait, what’s this? In a stunning turn of events, the NMBS has decided that weekday traffic between Antwerp and Brussels will now only feature four IC (InterCity) trains per hour instead of five. That’s right, folks! They lost that fifth train to Eurostar, which is like losing a game of rock-paper-scissors to a rock—inevitable and painful. At this rate, you might actually have more luck hitching a ride on a bicycle than on their trains.
Adjustments will be made to the timetables of the remaining trains, clearly ensuring every traveler has an adequate amount of confusion and panic lurking in their travel plans. Because nothing says “great customer service” like a schedule that requires an advanced degree in mathematics to decipher.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, folks, while the NMBS may not be the heroic railway provider we all dreamed it would be, at least it’s still trying to give suburban commuters a shred of hope. Just remember, the next time your train is late, or you’re crammed in like sardines going nowhere fast, blame it on a shortage of drivers or perhaps the officers duplicating their trains over at Eurostar. Until we make peace with the shortcomings of the train system, grab that book you’ve been meaning to read—or maybe just keep a pack of cards handy. Who knows? You might just have a lovely time playing solitaire as you wait to arrive at your destination… or never leave at all.
So, fasten your seatbelts and prepare yourselves for an unexpected ride—the NMBS journey is anything but boring!
Despite ongoing pressure from Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo), NMBS has resolutely opted to expand its train services at a reduced capacity compared to initial plans. The railway operator is grappling with a significant shortage of train drivers, which has resulted in the postponement of several key projects that were intended to improve service delivery.
Alongside a modest expansion of nearly 2 percent in its overall train services, NMBS is reintroducing 220 trains each week that had previously been scrapped due to ongoing staffing challenges. Notably, this reinstatement includes an additional S train running every hour during peak times on the busy route between Antwerp and Herentals, as well as various P trains in and around the Ghent region, including Geraardsbergen and Kortrijk.
Schaerbeek
The newly established train connections primarily focus on enhancing suburban S-traffic. Notably, in the Antwerp area, the S-train service linking Puurs, Antwerp, and Essen will now operate twice an hour on Saturdays. Furthermore, in the Ghent vicinity, there will be an S-train running hourly throughout the day connecting Ghent, Lokeren, Oudenaarde, and Ronse. A significant addition to the schedule is set for June 2025, when the S81 line between Schaarbeek, Brussels-Schuman, Ottignies, and Louvain-la-Neuve will shift to a full-day service, rather than being constrained to rush hour operations.
The most significant change, however, is the adjustment in service on the main rail axis between Antwerp and Brussels during weekdays. NMBS will now run only four IC trains per hour, a reduction from the previous five, as it has ceded track space to the international train provider Eurostar. Consequently, this change in service alignment reflects the ongoing competitive landscape within regional rail transport.
As a direct consequence of these developments, NMBS will need to revise the timetables for various other train services, ensuring that all adjustments align with the new operational realities and service offerings.
What are the main challenges NMBS is facing in improving train services for commuters?
**Interview: Insights on NMBS and the Current Train Services Crisis**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, everyone! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with **Sophie Vandersteen**, a transport policy analyst who has been closely following NMBS and its recent developments. Thank you for joining us, Sophie.
**Sophie:** Thank you for having me! It’s a fascinating yet challenging time for Belgium’s railway system.
**Interviewer:** Let’s dive right in. NMBS recently announced a 2% increase in service, which sounds modest at best. What are your thoughts on their decision to expand at such a limited capacity?
**Sophie:** It’s certainly underwhelming. Given the original ambitions expressed by Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet, this gradual increase feels more like a band-aid solution than a comprehensive plan. Unfortunately, the shortage of train drivers is a significant bottleneck that NMBS must address if they want to achieve more robust expansions.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of shortages, what specific impacts do you foresee this having on passengers, particularly those relying on the S-trains and IC services?
**Sophie:** Passengers will likely experience persistent frustrations. For instance, the loss of one InterCity train per hour between Antwerp and Brussels will add to crowded trains during peak times. On the other hand, the introduction of additional suburban S-trains might be beneficial, especially on Saturdays, but is it enough to alleviate the dependency on limited IC services? I’d say it’s still a mixed bag.
**Interviewer:** The adjustments seem almost tactical, yet they leave many commuters in a quagmire. How do you think NMBS could improve this process and enhance customer experience?
**Sophie:** Transparency is key. NMBS must communicate these timetables clearly to avoid confusion. Moreover, instead of just focusing on restoring services, they should also explore innovative staffing solutions, perhaps incentivizing driver recruitment and retention more aggressively. Passenger support systems, like real-time updates and more user-friendly scheduling apps, could seriously enhance the commuter experience.
**Interviewer:** With the recent news, do you think NMBS has a viable path forward? Or are the issues too systemic?
**Sophie:** It’s a challenging situation, but not insurmountable. The issues stem largely from a lack of strategic planning over the years. If NMBS can commit to investing in its workforce and infrastructure, we might eventually see the types of service improvements that have long been promised. Coordination with Eurostar and other international services is also essential to ensure Belgium’s railways remain competitive.
**Interviewer:** Let’s wrap up with your final thoughts. What should commuters take away from this situation as they navigate their travel plans?
**Sophie:** Patience and preparedness are crucial. Commuters should be ready for delays and potentially overcrowded trains as NMBS transitions. Keeping a book or a pack of cards handy isn’t just a clever suggestion; it’s a survival tactic at this point! Ultimately, remaining informed about service updates and being vocal about their experiences can help push for the changes they truly need.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much, Sophie! Your insights offer a clearer perspective on the current NMBS landscape. Let’s hope for a more seamless journey for all Belgian train users in the future.
**Sophie:** Thank you! It was a pleasure to discuss this important topic.
