Mobility Minister scraps rollback of additional Belgian trains

Resigning Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) has scrapped NMBS/SNCB’s decision not to expand its train offer by the end of this year, the newspaper De Standaard reports. The socialist union considers the Minister’s plan unrealistic, given the staff shortage and delayed equipment deliveries.

In early September, news broke that NMBS/SNCB had to scale back its ambition to add a series of additional trains by the end of this year. In the original plans, the NMBS/SNCB would add more weekend and late evening trains, especially around larger cities such as Brussels, Antwerp, Liège, and Charleroi. By the end of 2026, for example, there would already be an additional 2,000 trains per week, accounting for 7.4% more mileage.

But because not enough conductors could be found due to labor market scarcity —the number of train drivers, by the way, had increased from 3,077 at the end of 2022 to 3,160 by mid-2024—the railroad company decided that only two of the 15 projects would be implemented.

Collision

Early this month, Minister Gilkinet asked for the decision to be reversed, but in vain. The Board of Directors decided that it was not feasible within the planned deadlines “by consensus.” Now, the Minister is reversing NMBS/SNCB’s decision.

De Standaard writes that some call the decision technical. However, it is rare to see an outgoing Minister override such a major strategic decision several months before it is due to take off. “We have received the Minister’s decision, which is now being analyzed,” responds NMBS/SNCB spokesperson Bart Crols.

“Laudable but not realistic.”

According to the socialist rail union ACOD, Gilkinet’s ambitions are “laudable but unrealistic.” Expansion of rail supply today is “impossible” given staff shortages, delayed equipment deliveries, and infrastructure saturation, says ACOD Spoor president Günther Blauwens. “We repeat our message: stabilize first and guarantee possible and realistic service.”

It remains to be seen who will put water in the wine or what compromise will be reached. However, the traveler is at risk of becoming the dupe again anyway: if the NMBS/SNCB does not comply with the decision in the management agreement, a fine awaits it (i.e., fewer resources for the railroad), and perhaps the railroad company is also just playing hardball.

That’s because Bart De Wever (N-VA), who’s trying to set up a new government coalition, talked in his super memo about reducing subsidies for the NMBS/SNCB. With fewer resources, you cannot offer a more extensive service.