‘Quasi-free’ public transport not an unqualified success in Wallonia

April 03, 2025

The almost free subscriptions the previous Walloon government introduced for public transport were not an unqualified success. More season tickets were sold, but validation on the buses and trams decreased. “If this price reduction does not encourage the use of public transport, where is the problem?” Minister of Mobility, François Desquesnes (Les Engagés), wonders. The […]

Ionity, Fastned, Atlante, and Electra form charging giant Spark Alliance

April 03, 2025

As a symbol for Europe’s rapidly evolving EV infrastructure, four of the continent’s leading charging operators—Fastned, Electra, Atlante, and IONITY—have joined forces to create Spark Alliance. This strategic partnership must leverage the seamlessness, reliability, and user-friendliness of charging experiences across 25 European countries. However, it also tightens the space for smaller or new competitors. Spark […]

T&E report: ‘Number of business flights down 34%’

April 02, 2025

Between 2019 and 2023, business flights fell by 34%. That’s according to a new report by the NGO Transport & Environment. However, 44% of the 326 companies in the Travel Smart ranking still have no target applying to business travel, putting overall progress at risk. Especially the disproportionate flying of private jets by large companies […]

Belgian car glass manufacturer Soliver acquired by international group

April 02, 2025

An international group is acquiring Belgian auto glass group Soliver, also known as AGP. It is not known which international player is involved or how high the bid is. The new owner wants to continue operations in Belgium under a new name and would take over most of the approximately 1,000 employees. Soliver makes auto […]

NMBS/SNCB says ‘no’ to sorry pass for railway strikes (update)

April 02, 2025

National railway company NMBS/SNCB is not responding to the request from traveler interest group TreinTramBus to compensate season ticket holders for the many strikes of the past weeks with a ‘Sorry Pass.’ TreinTramBus had requested railway company NMBS/SNCB to compensate season ticket holders for February and March with a Sorry Pass for all the recent […]

London greenlights Eurostar competition

April 01, 2025

“Eurostar’s London depot could accommodate additional trains if necessary.” With a simple phrase, British rail regulator ORR has cleared the way for more Eurostar competition. Virgin, the group around British billionaire Richard Branson interested in operating a train link between London and continental Europe, said that it welcomed the “green light for competition.” Battle for […]

Infrabel slides 750-ton tunnel under railroad in Wezemaal

March 31, 2025

This weekend, the Belgian railroad manager Infrabel slid a 750-ton railroad tunnel under the tracks at the station of Wezemaal, near Rotselaar in Flemish Brabant. The concrete element, 18 meters long, 14 meters wide, and almost 4 meters high, was placed under the tracks via a special metal chute. The tunnel should provide a better […]

Profit of €131,6 million for NMBS/SNCB in 2024

March 31, 2025

Belgian public railroad company NMBS/SNCB posted an operating profit, i.e., before interest and tax costs, of 131.6 million euros last year, down 10.6 million euros compared to 2023. The number of passengers rose slightly in 2024 to 245.1 million. “This is an increase for the third year in a row, but the return of commuters […]

European airlines pull the emergency brake on targets around SAF

March 28, 2025

Europe’s major airlines think that Europe’s ReFuel legislation is not going to succeed in creating the affordable market for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that is promised. They said this at a press conference in Brussels. They fear there will not be enough production. The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report, released on Thursday, predicts a shortfall […]

Oosterweel: left bank entrance to new Scheldt tunnel is ready

March 28, 2025

The entrance to the new Antwerp Scheldt tunnel on the left bank is ready. It is a colossus of 85,000 m³ of concrete and 19,000 tons of steel. After more than three years of preparation and intensive construction work, the essential parts of the Scheldt Tunnel are ready. Everything is prepared now to place the […]

Poppy equips cars with smoke detectors to prevent cigarette odor

March 27, 2025

Poppy Mobility, D’Ieteren’s provider of shared mobility services in Antwerp, Brussels, and Belgian airports, plans to install smoke detectors in its cars to combat cigarette smell. Poppy wants to prevent smoking in its cars. The company’s goal is clear: to keep their fleet fresh and clean for everyone. “When smoke is detected, the system will […]

EU agrees on digital driver’s license

March 26, 2025

By the end of 2030, a uniform digital mobile driver’s license will be recognized in all Member States. Negotiators from the European Parliament and the EU Member States agreed on this during the night from Monday to Tuesday. Why a digital driver’s license? There are currently more than a hundred types of driver’s licenses in […]

UK’s Gemini Trains also wants to compete with Eurostar

March 25, 2025

After Virgin Trains and Spain’s Evolyn, another candidate has come forward with plans to run passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel: British Gemini Trains. There is no timescale yet for when Eurostar’s new potential competitor plans to run services between London and continental Europe, particularly Paris and Brussels, although other media are talking about 2029. […]

Four percent of 1.4 million Parisians vote to make 500 streets car-free

March 25, 2025

Paris residents voted in a referendum on Sunday to make hundreds of streets car-free. With this measure, the left-wing city council wants to reduce car use further, improve air quality, and increase the quality of life in the French capital. However, turnout was low: barely 4% of the 1.4 million residents bothered to vote. Two-thirds […]

Hugo Bollen, inventor of Belgian cycle node network gets honorary doctorate

March 25, 2025

On May 27th, Hasselt University will award an honorary doctorate to Hugo Bollen, the inventor of the walking and cycling node network. Hugo Bollen, a former engineer at the Kempen Coal Mines (Kempische Steenkoolmijnen), came up with the now widespread cycling and walking junction network years ago. The doctorate is a recognition of his essential […]

Flanders: 35 percent less nitrogen emissions than ten years ago

March 24, 2025

According to the Progress Report on the Programmatic Approach to Nitrogen, nitrogen oxide emissions in Flanders have fallen by 35 percent between 2015 and 2022, and ammonia emissions have fallen by 9 percent in those seven years. Environment Minister Jo Brouns presented the report on Friday, March 21st. Nitrogen oxides (80%) mainly come from the […]

Six new summer destinations from Brussels Airport

March 24, 2025

Brussels Airport is adding six new destinations to its network this summer, starting on March 30th. These destinations are both within Europe and intercontinental. Passengers will be able to fly directly from Brussels Airport to 180 destinations offered by 68 airlines. Some new summer destinations, such as Curaçao (TUI fly) and Bangkok (Thai Airways International), […]

Traxio Velo: ‘Bicycle sales declining, but industry remains optimistic’

March 22, 2025

With 540,356 bikes sold, bicycle sales in Belgium have declined for the second consecutive year. Mobility federation Traxio Velo announced this at the Bike Brussels trade fair opening at Tour & Taxis, which runs until Sunday. However, this slight 4.75% drop isn’t necessarily a cause for concern, says Frank Glorieux, General Secretary of Traxio Velo. […]

North Sea Port opens new jetty with shore power for river cruises

March 21, 2025

North Sea Port, the cross-border port area between Vlissingen (the Netherlands) and Ghent (Belgium), has installed a new jetty with shore power. Ships arriving in Ghent must now dock here. With this investment, North Sea Port strengthens its position as a European sustainable port. The sustainable jetty, located at the head of the Grootdok, is […]

Belgian public transport operators turn their backs on X

March 20, 2025

Advertisers may have returned, and the value may be valued again at 44 billion dollars, but individuals and companies continue to abandon social media platform X. For example, De Lijn, NMBS/SNCB, TEC, and MIVB/STIB, each with a separate message on the same platform, have stated that they are leaving X. The main reason seems to […]

Choosing train instead of plane to emit less CO2 has no effect

March 20, 2025

Four scientists from KU Leuven, the University of Ghent, and Transport and Mobility Leuven have concluded that it makes no sense to choose the train instead of the plane for trips within the European Union to emit less CO2. Due to the European emission ceilings, someone else will emit the saved CO2 anyway. The Emission […]

Project Stapscore wins Flemish Road Safety Award 2025

March 19, 2025

  “Working on better sidewalks with Stapscore,” a project to improve the quality of sidewalks in Flanders, has won the Flemish Road Safety Award 2025. The winner was announced on Tuesday at the annual road safety conference organized by the Flemish Foundation for Road Safety (Vlaamse Stichting Verkeerskunde, VSV). The award is presented to projects […]

277 reports of incidents on flights in Belgium

March 19, 2025

The Belgian FPS Mobility registered 277 reports on unruly airline passengers in 2024, according to the newspaper Le Soir. Although FPS Mobility does not have precise statistics on in-flight aggression, crew testimony shows that alcohol and nicotine addiction often play a role in incidents. Indeed, according to the figures on the in-flight incident count of […]

De Lijn: record 23 accidents per day involving buses and streetcars

March 18, 2025

De Lijn’s buses and streetcars were involved in a combined 23 accidents per day last year, a record average. Overall, in 2024, buses were involved in 7,207 accidents, and streetcars in 1,191. So, the numbers are on the rise, as are the number of victims. The figures also show that De Lijn is often not […]

Vias: ‘Number of accidents involving electric scooters up again’

March 18, 2025

According to Vias Institute’s latest road safety barometer, based on police data, the number of accidents with injuries in Belgium fell slightly in 2024 (-3 %). However, the number of accidents involving electric scooters rose by nine percent, while there was a decline between 2022 and 2023. Last year, the police recorded 1,745 accidents involving […]

Stellantis teams up with Ikea-style Luvly to fight Chinese low-cost

March 18, 2025

Stellantis is partnering with Swedish startup Luvly to explore its innovative flat-pack vehicle production method. This method could dramatically reduce manufacturing and transportation costs and prove a worthwhile Western alternative to Chinese low-cost production.  With the Citroën Ami and its siblings at Opel (Rock-e) and Fiat (Topolino), Stellantis has already explored the market for microcars. […]

Musk dreams to land his Starship on Mars as early as next year

March 17, 2025

Space X boss Elon Musk wants Starship to make its first trip to Mars by the end of 2026, with the humanoid robot Tesla Optimus aboard. He said three to five years later, he could follow flights with humans. “The Starship will leave for Mars late next year, with Optimus on board. If landings go […]

‘London’s Ultra-LEZ improved air quality significantly’

March 17, 2025

A recent report indicates that London’s air quality has significantly improved since the introduction of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone, an area where polluting vehicles are banned or must pay a congestion charge to enter. Annual roadside NO2 concentrations across the capital have been nearly halved (49%) between 2016 and 2023, while preliminary figures indicate London […]

Motorist collects more than 60 speeding tickets with fake license plates

March 17, 2025

Local police teams from the Belgian Borinage region in Henegouwen have caught a motorist who was repeatedly flashed with fake license plates. By analyzing the plates, the police were able to trace the real license plate. They discovered three different license plates at the driver’s home, two of which were fake. It later turned out that […]

Toyota’s new micro-mobility concept for Europe is the FT-Me

March 14, 2025

At its yearly Kenshiki event in Brussels, Toyota also unveiled the FT-Me. This microcar concept represents Toyota’s vision for all-electric micro-mobility that “combines premium design with affordability.” Inspired by the success of Toyota’s mobility solutions developed for the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the FT-Me aims to address the evolving needs […]

Brussels Airport streetcar works to start at the end of this year

March 14, 2025

The works for the first phase of the streetcar connection between Brussels Airport and the NATO headquarters in Haren will start at the end of this year. So reports De Werkvennootschap, which is coordinating the project. It involves the construction of the streetcar and bicycle viaduct over the Brussels Ring in Machelen. The works should […]

‘Belgian families still spend less on mobility than before covid’

March 14, 2025

Since the Covid-19 crisis, there has been a “permanent change in household mobility behavior.” In particular, expenditures on car use have fallen significantly. That is the conclusion of a recent report by the Federal Planning Bureau and the Federal Public Service Mobility. However, there is a big difference between the regions. Households living in Wallonia […]

No more Nightjet train between Brussels and Berlin

March 14, 2025

Bad luck to those who would like to book city trips on the Nightjet trains: The Nightjet will stop running between Brussels and Berlin. From March 27th, the offer will disappear, according to the NMBS/SNCB international train travel website. The reason for the discontinuation of the services is not given, but the competition has probably […]

Chinese Wanfeng wants to acquire German Volocopter

March 13, 2025

According to communications from Wanfeng to investors, Chinese concern Wanfeng wants to acquire Volocopter, the German maker of flying cabs that take off vertically. Volocopter initiated bankruptcy proceedings late last year and hoped for a relaunch with new investors. Wanfeng wants to acquire the start-up for 10 million euros. Pioneer Volocopter makes vertically rising electric […]

Air France-KLM and Lufthansa launch bid for Spanish Air Europa

March 12, 2025

The Air France-KLM Group and Lufthansa aim for a stake in Spanish airline Air Europa. According to Spanish online media El Confidential, they have each submitted separate bids to enter Air Europa’s capital for 300 million and 240 million euros, respectively. Air Europa is Spain’s third-largest airline after Iberia and Vueling. The airline also operates […]

Car-sharing provider Miles exits Belgium: ‘Too much vandalism’

March 12, 2025

Another car-sharing company is pulling out of Belgium. German provider Miles Mobility will leave the country entirely just two years after entering the market, citing rampant vandalism, misuse, and theft – issues particularly severe in Brussels. Margins aren’t strong enough to compensate for the rotten apples. The company announced on Tuesday that it will gradually […]

Brussels MIVB/STIB adapts 440 bus stops for the disabled

March 11, 2025

The Brussels public transport company MIVB/STIB has already made more than 440 bus and streetcar stops wheelchair accessible. Many metro stations have also been adapted for persons with reduced mobility. In 2025, about half of the 2,223 above-ground pre-metro stations and bus stops have been made more accessible to persons with reduced mobility, subject to […]

Major construction works at 43 locations on Flemish highways in 2025

March 11, 2025

In 2025, Flanders plans construction works at 43 locations on the highway. Just like last year, much attention will again be paid to renovating bridges, viaducts, and tunnels. Twenty of the 43 construction sites are essential for renewing or replacing bridges or tunnels.  The sites with the most significant impact on traffic are in Antwerp, […]

D’Ieteren: another record year with €1 billion profit before tax

March 11, 2025

Brussels-based holding company D’Ieteren enjoyed a record year with over a billion euros in pre-tax profits. The importer of VW vehicles and parent company to auto glass repairer Belron/Carglass, among others, came in at 1,065 billion euros in 2024. That’s 9.6% better than in 2023. Total sales also rose 3.5% to 12.07 billion euros. More […]

Oosterweel tunnel to open year earlier to save on costs

March 10, 2025

The Flemish government wants to open the new Scheldt tunnel of the Oosterweel connection on January 1, 2030, a year earlier than planned. The intention of the earlier opening is to absorb part of the rising costs, which have arisen mainly due to the PFAS contamination in the 3 M region. Gap of €800 million […]

Virgin seeks £700 million to compete with Eurostar to Brussels

March 10, 2025

Virgin Group’s British businessman and billionaire Richard Branson wants to raise 700 million pounds (834 million euros) from investors to launch a train service between Brussels, Paris, and London to rival Eurostar, reports the Financial Times business newspaper. Virgin expects to tune the trains as early as 2029, initially from London to Paris and Brussels […]

Lower profit for Channel Tunnel operator Getlink

March 07, 2025

Getlink, the operator of the Channel Tunnel, posted a net profit of 317 million euros last year, down 5% from 2023. The drop in profits is due to the suspension of services from ElecLink, the high-voltage cable linking France and England through the Channel Tunnel. Competition from ferries also played tricks on Getlink. EuroTunnel, Getlink’s subsidiary […]

Norway to expand zero-emission zones to accelerate electrification

March 07, 2025

The Norwegian Transport Ministry is planning to ask the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to prepare legislation to allow municipalities to establish zero-emission zones (ZEZ). It will give the latter the possibility to reduce emissions and push for cleaner transport. The Administration will specifically look at the technical, legal, and practical aspects. It also stresses that […]

Brussels Airlines posts new record profit

March 06, 2025

Brussels Airlines posted another record profit last year thanks to a “very successful” second half of the year. Adjusted operating profit (ebit) went up 11% to 59 million euros, a new record. The airline also expects “significant growth” for this year. “During the first half of the year we faced some challenges, which did not allow […]

CAF snatches multi-billion Belgian train contract under Alstom’s nose (update)

March 05, 2025

Belgian Trends-Tendances magazine reports that Spanish-listed train builder CAF has won a tender to build hundreds of trains for Belgian railroad company NMBS/SNCB. French player Alstom, which is firmly entrenched in Belgium, missed out on the contract worth more than 3 billion euros, even though it was cheaper than the Spanish competitor. According to La […]

Fewer bicycles than ever sold in the Netherlands

March 05, 2025

Last year, fewer bicycles were sold in the Netherlands than in the past ten years. The bicycle market grew steadily between 2016 and 2020, but sales have declined since the peak in the latter year. This is evident from figures from trade organizations Bovag and RAI Association. Sales peaked in 2020 when more than 1.1 million […]

De Lijn paid €70,000 LEZ fines in 2024

March 05, 2025

Flemish public transport company De Lijn paid more than 70,000 euros in fines last year for violations of low-emission zones (LEZ), a multiple of the 2,350 euros from 2023. A total of 384 fines were involved. Especially Antwerp and Ghent, together with Brussels, the only three active LEZ in Belgium, were mainly responsible. In Antwerp, […]

Traxio: ‘Fewer registrations but noticeable more new private cars’

March 05, 2025

In the past month of February, slightly fewer second-hand cars were registered, but noticeably more private individuals were interested in new cars.  According to Filip Rylant, spokesperson for Mobility Federation Traxio, “In February, 60,047 used cars were registered, a slight decrease of -0.5% (or 308 units) compared to February 2024, but 6,852 (+12.9%) units more […]

T&E: ‘49% of new city buses in Europe were zero-emission in 2024’

March 04, 2025

According to the NGO Transport and Environment, almost one in two new buses (49%) sold in Europe in 2024 had zero emissions—electric or hydrogen—exceeding the objectives set by the European Union on CO2 standards for buses and making city buses one of the early success stories of the European Green Deal. Fuel cell buses comprised […]

De Lijn’s standard ticket price increases to 3 euros

March 03, 2025

On April 1st, Flemish public transport company De Lijn will adjust its fares. As announced, the prices of all products are going up. A standard ticket will now cost 3 euros instead of 2,50 euros. According to the travelers’ organization TreinTramBus, De Lijn’s increase in fares comes at a terrible time for travelers. “Suddenly, there […]

500 physicians urge EU to stick to 2035 combustion engine phase-out

March 03, 2025

More than 500 doctors have called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to uphold the planned 2035 phase-out of combustion engines, warning of serious health risks if the policy is weakened. The doctors criticized efforts to soften carbon dioxide (CO2) emission limits, arguing that delaying the transition would endanger public health. Road traffic […]

Another tsunami of strikes to cripple Belgian rail

March 03, 2025

The nine-day railroad strike at Belgian public railroad company NMBS/SNCB has only just ended, and the next one is already coming: some railroad unions have announced 18 strike days over the next five months. The reason for the social unrest at the railway company is the new federal government and its reform plans. These include […]

Belgian government condemned again for noise nuisance at Brussels Airport

February 28, 2025

For years, the Brussels Capital Region has been demanding compliance with Brussels noise standards to limit noise pollution at Brussels Airport. The French-speaking court of first instance in Brussels has once again condemned the Belgian state for the excessive nuisance caused by night flights over the capital. At the same time, it increased the penalty […]

Test Aankoop sues 12 driving schools for illegal terms and conditions

February 28, 2025

Consumer association Test Aankoop/Test Achats has filed a complaint with the economic inspection against twelve driving schools because their general terms and conditions are unacceptable. Some of them even violate the law. Test Aankoop/Test Achats recently investigated the general terms and conditions of 13 driving schools and identified various forms of abuse and even violations […]

Car thefts in Belgium are rising: 27,000 in five years

February 28, 2025

The carjacking years seem far behind us as a phenomenon from the beginning of the century, but recent figures from the federal police show that consumers should take guard. There’s an increase in car thefts in Belgium, targeting certain models. With car thefts on the rise, Belgian motorists should start considering theft risk as a […]

More passengers, more new drivers and e-buses for De Lijn

February 28, 2025

Last year, the Flemish public transport company De Lijn carried 373 million passengers, up 4.5%. According to Director General Ann Schoubs, this increase in passengers immediately proves that the new transportation plan introduced in 2024 has worked. In 2025, 200 new e-buses will be delivered to De Lijn, and a search for 600 new drivers […]

Transavia to surcharge on already purchased tickets in France

February 26, 2025

Transavia, Air France-KLM’s low-cost airline, will impose an additional surcharge on recent tickets purchased for flights departing from France. The increase is due to the country’s rise in air travel taxes. This rises from 2.63 euros to 7.4 euros for domestic or European flights and doubles to 15 euros for non-European destinations. Remarkably, Air France […]

Electra and Bolt team up for fast charging in Belgium

February 26, 2025

Fast charging specialist Electra and mobility company Bolt are entering into a strategic partnership to strengthen the transition to electric driving. The deal will give Bolt partner drivers access to the largest fast-charging network in Belgium at preferential rates. Through the partnership, which was previously launched in France, the two companies aim to accelerate the […]

Vias: ‘Eight out of ten traffic fatalities are men’

February 25, 2025

Eighty percent of road deaths in Belgium are men, and injury accidents involving men are, on average, twice as severe as accidents involving women. This is mainly because men take more risks in traffic. These are some conclusions from a new statistical analysis by traffic safety institute Vias. Eighty percent of road deaths in Belgium […]

Belgian freight transport by train slightly up again

February 25, 2025

Freight transport by train in Belgium rose slightly again last year. Over 55.2 million tons of freight were transported by rail, 3.2% more than in 2023 but still less than the peak years of 2008 (73 million tons) and 2021 (63 million tons), according to data on the open data website of rail network operator […]