Despite pressure from Transport Minister Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo), NMBS stuck to its decision to extend the train offer less than expected. The railway company is facing a shortage of train drivers and has canceled several projects.
As well as extending the offer by almost 2 per cent, NMBS is also bringing back 220 trains a week which were previously canceled due to staffing problems. For example, this applies to a second S train per hour during peak hours between Antwerp and Herentals and several 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 runs every hour throughout the 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 new thing, 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 its place on the way to the provider of international train connections Eurostar.
NMBS has to change the timetables of several other trains.
2024-11-25 16:54:00
#June #allday #trains #Schaerbeek #LouvainlaNeuve
**Considering the prioritization of suburban S-trains, what strategies could NMBS implement to mitigate the potential inconvenience for passengers reliant on intercity connections for longer commutes and travel?**
## World-Today-News: Analyzing NMBS’s New Train Schedule
**Guest 1:** Marc Janssen, Railway Historian & Analyst
**Guest 2:** Sarah De Meyer, Prospective Train Passengers Association Representative
**(Introduction)**
**Host:** Welcome to World-Today News. Today, we’re diving into the recent news surrounding NMBS’s updated train schedule for 2025. Joining us are Marc Janssen, a renowned railway historian and analyst, and Sarah De Meyer, representing the Prospective Train Passengers Association.
**(Section 1: Impact of Driver Shortage)**
**Host:** Marc, the article mentions that NMBS cites a shortage of train drivers as a reason for the limited extension of the train offer. Could you elaborate on the extent of this shortage and its implications for the future of Belgian rail travel?
**Marc Janssen:** Certainly.
**(Pause for response)**
**Host:** Sarah, from the perspective of train users, how do you feel this shortage affects the quality and accessibility of rail services? What are your association’s concerns?
**Sarah De Meyer:**
**(Pause for response)**
**(Section 2: Suburban vs. Intercity Train Focus)**
**Host:** The article highlights an increase in suburban S-trains, such as the expanded service between Antwerp and Herentals, Ghent, and Kortrijk. Meanwhile, the flow of IC trains between Antwerp and Brussels is being reduced. Marc, what factors might be driving this strategic shift in service allocation?
**Marc Janssen:**
**(Pause for response)**
**Host:** Sarah, how do these changes affect passengers who rely on intercity trains for commuting and long-distance travel? What are your thoughts on the prioritization of suburban services?
**Sarah De Meyer:**
**(Pause for response)**
**(Section 3: Eurostar Competition and Future Developments)**
**Host:** The article mentions NMBS losing its spot on the route to the international train operator, Eurostar. Marc, what does this development signify for the Belgian rail sector’s competitiveness and future collaborations?
**Marc Janssen:**
**(Pause for response)**
**Host:** Sarah, how do you foresee these changes shaping the future of train travel in Belgium? What steps could NMBS take to ensure passenger satisfaction and attract new riders in a changing landscape?
**Sarah De Meyer:**
**(Pause for response)**
**(Conclusion)**
**Host:** Thank you, Marc and Sarah, for sharing your valuable insights on these important developments in Belgian rail travel. Clearly, NMBS faces several challenges in 2025, but your perspectives offer a glimpse into the potential future of train services in the region.
**(Outro)**
**Host:** This has been World-Today News. We thank you for joining us and encourage our viewers to share their thoughts on these developments in the comments below.
