NMBS/SNCB train offer for 2025 remains as it is

NMBS/SNCB’s board of directors has reaffirmed its decision on the train offer for 2025. Earlier, outgoing Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) had overturned the Belgian public railroad company’s decision.

According to Gilkinet, the Federal Public Service Mobility will now rule on the new train offer. Train passengers, for their part, are calling for quick work on additional trains.

NMBS/SNCB maintains position

In early September, NMBS/SNCB scaled back its ambition to introduce a batch of additional trains, in part because it was facing a shortage of train drivers, the reason why the Board of Directors‘ approved proposal received the support of the unions. Thus, planned and more than welcome late evening and weekend trains would not run after all.

Resigning Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet, however, overturned that decision. He feared “a first-class burial” of rail ambitions under the next government.

The file then ended up back at the NMBS/SNCB. It now reconfirms its earlier decision on next year’s train offer. It includes a growth of the number of train kilometers by almost 2%, on top of the 1% growth already achieved in 2024.

The supply growth in 2025 is a first step toward achieving the 10% growth horizon in 2032, as contained in the public service contract. The rail company asks the minister to submit the train offer to the Council of Ministers for approval as soon as possible.

‘Implement it without delay’

Gilkinet says he has taken note of the decision and states that the train offer will be analyzed by the Federal Public Service Mobility. According to the minister, there are indeed adjustments in the new train offer of the NMBS/SNCB. It is then up to the government to approve or reject the train offer, Gilkinet said.

The Rail Passengers Advisory Committee (RGCT), an official advisory body made up of 26 organizations, urges the rail company in advice to implement the expansion of the training offer without delay. “A delay until 2027 or later jeopardizes the growth ambition of 30% more passengers by 2032, although NMBS/SNCB suggests otherwise,” the RGCT says.

Rail passengers are also calling on the next government to provide adequate funding for passenger transport.