New mobility minister: ‘No new train station at Charleroi Airport’

There will not be a train station at Charleroi Airport after all. That is what the new Minister of Mobility, Climate and Environmental Transition Jean-Luc Crucke (ex MR, but Les Engagés since 2023) told his predecessor Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) during the power transfer.

“It would cost way too much. We cannot spend public money this way, so it was taken out of the agreement,” the brand-new minister said.

‘We improve the Brussels-Luxembourg line’

An earlier version of the coalition agreement mentioned giving Charleroi Airport access to the rail network. “For Charleroi Airport, we plan access to the rail network,” the agreement read.

However, according to the newspaper La Libre Belgique, the most recent version of the coalition agreement does not mention Charleroi Airport and is replaced by “We improve the Brussels-Luxembourg line.”

The coalition agreement still includes connecting Brussels Airport with direct high-speed train connections between HST in Belgium’s neighboring countries.

Crucke would not comment further on the news and referred to the debates in the Chamber scheduled for today and tomorrow.

Efficiency gains at NMBS/SNCB should generate €250 million

Meanwhile, the budget table accompanying the new coalition agreement has also revealed that efficiency gains at NMBS/SNCB should generate 250 million euros. Whether there would also be an additional budget for the public railroad company is unknown.

However, the Arizona government does want a train network based on the Swiss model where the supply is tailored to the “real needs of passengers, where lines with high passenger numbers are reinforced as a priority and by limiting the number of train stops in places with low demand.”

In concrete terms, this means a better connection of the train to other transport models and more suburban trains, and that small stations with very few passengers will have to close permanently.

Better internet access

Furthermore, the new federal government also wants to eliminate the white and gray spots in the internet connections along the tracks, allowing travelers to enjoy a stable Internet and telephone connection during the entire train journey.

Recently, the NMBS/SNCB buried the idea of providing Wi-Fi on the train because it was too expensive (173 million euros) and decided to modify the windows to allow better data connection.

The Arizona government is also calling for a proper European strategy to ensure the train becomes an alternative to air travel. This strategy will also include more significant efforts by private companies to use night trains.

Work longer

Also, the retirement age of NMBS/SNCB staff (55 years) will gradually be raised to the legal retirement age of other employees and civil servants. From January 1st, 2027, it will rise by one year each year until the legal retirement age for all employees and civil servants is reached (at the age of 67 thus).

In the future, NMBS/SNCB and rail operator Infrabel will also have to finance statutory pensions. At the same time, HR Rail’s activities as an HR service (selection recruitment and personnel management) will be transferred to Infrabel and NMBS/SNCB.

Coincident or not, several trains have had to be canceled since Monday morning due to many sick railroad staff members. The problem presents itself mainly in Namur station and Mons and Charleroi.

“The announcement of the government’s measures regarding railroad personnel has caused a lot of emotion and concern among the staff. This wave of sickness is undoubtedly a reaction to that,” said Pierre Lejeune, president of CGSP Cheminots union.

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