German-Dutch train operator Arriva is full of confidence it will operate the so-called Tri-Country Train linking Aachen in Germany to Maastricht in the Netherlands and Liège in Belgium from December 2023. Treinreiziger.nl talked to a confident spokesperson.
Arriva spokesperson Nikkie Smit says Arriva works closely with NMBS / SNCB, which will (partially) provide personnel for the train. Belgian legislation mandates passenger trains be guarded (UK) or conducted (US) by a train guard / conductor / manager.
OV-chipkaart
According to Treinreiziger.nl, OV-chipkaart users will be able to tap in and out in Liège. That remains to be seen. The OV-chipkaart or Public Transport card is a pre-paid card to pay for your journey. At present it is not valid on Belgian railways. The Roosendaal – Puurs omnibus for instance require to tap out when leaving the Netherlands.
In addition, there is consultation with Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) and NMBS /SNCB to offer other ticket types as well. According to Arriva, the perspective of the traveler is central to this.
Timetable
The Three-Country Train will run every hour between Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. The intention is that the frequency will eventually be increased to every half hour.
The train will start in Liège and stop in Visé (Wezet), Maastricht, Valkenburg and Heerlen, among others. Practically speaking, the Three-Country Train is an extension of the current Maastricht – Aachen train to Liège. The Three-Country Train will replace the current NMBS / SNCB train between Maastricht and Liège.
Challenges
The Tri-Country Train is five years late. Chief issues were technical. The Arriva Stadler FLIRT 3C train sets first had to be equipped with ETCS (European Train Control System), otherwise known as ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System).
Also, NMBS / SNCB wasn’t enthusiastic about the prospect. There were also practical problems: in Visé the doors of the train were higher than the platform. That too has now been rectified.
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