TreinTramBus (TrainTramBus), an organisation that defends passenger interests, is asking state-owned rail company NMBS to adjust its new timetable, which has now been in force for a month. According to the organisation, capacity on the Antwerp - Brussels line is far too low.
Home News
“This substandard service between the country's biggest cities cannot be tolerated”
Colin Clapson
Published:
It was in mid-December that the NMBS unveiled its new timetable. A big novelty was the Eurocity Direct, a new international train connection between the Netherlands and Belgium via Antwerp and finishing in Brussels. To make room for that new service, NMBS had to cut other domestic services between the 2 cities.
According to TrainTramBus, this is now leading to a major capacity problem between Antwerp and the capital. ‘Remaining trains are so full that people are left on the platforms every day,’ says Peter Meukens of TreinTramBus. ‘Journeys are cancelled very last-minute and trains are too short. This substandard service between the country's biggest cities cannot be tolerated.’
The passenger organisation suggests that Eurocity Direct services should be opened up to domestic passengers for the stretch between Antwerp and Brussels. At present these passengers are barred. ‘There is still plenty of room on the Eurocity Direct,’ TreinTramBus insists. In addition, the organisation calls for additional rush-hour services.