Vision Rail 2040 approved by Belgian federal government

On May 6, 2022, the Belgian federal government approved Minister Georges Gilkinet’s “Vision of Rail 2040.” inno-V participated in the creation of this vision of the Belgian federal minister of mobility.

The Vision is intended as a framework for rail policy over the next 20 years. It identifies levers that will enable rail to play its role as a backbone in a more sustainable mobility system that is consistent with international, federal and regional objectives in terms of reducing CO2 emissions, improving mobility, reducing congestion, reducing traffic accidents and supporting the economy.

And a few key points are a strengthening of the supply with the long-term aim of a basic supply with fixed times of 4 trains/hour near the major cities and on the busiest routes, and 2 trains/hour on the rest of the network and fast connections between major cities; the introduction of an improved junction timetable with a more systematic service that moves toward a more intensive use of the rail network as in countries such as Switzerland, Austria or the Netherlands, which serve as inspiration here.

The vision can be consulted here. Interest groups are already reacting positively: “A railroad vision after the Swiss model” (VRT report).