The so-called Tri-Country Train that was to connect Maastricht in the Netherlands with both Liège in Belgium and Aachen in Germany from December 2023 is being delayed. The first trains will only start running in the first half of 2024, outgoing State Secretary for Transport and Water Management Vivianne Heijnen (CDA) reports to the Dutch House of Representatives or Tweede Kamer (Lower House).

The delay is due to “unforeseen technical challenges” in making operator Arriva‘s trains suitable for the various security systems used in the three countries, ANP reports. This meant that the application for admission could only be submitted to the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) later than expected.

“I very much regret this delay”, Heijnen stated in her written reply. She emphasizes that all those involved have done their utmost to complete this rail connection, which is important for the region, on time. The State Secretary expects to be able to say before the end of the year exactly when the three-country train will run for the first time.

Never-ending or never-starting story?

The current Tri-Country, between Maastricht and Aachen, was also delayed when it entered service in 2019. While the start was initially calculated for December 2018, the first train did not run until 27 January 27 2019.

There has been talk for years of a Tri-Country Train in the area, but nothing came to fruition. In the Netherlands, the blame is put on Belgium. Belgian infrastructure manager Infrabel expects train to have European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), also known as European Train Control System (ETCS). Swiss constructer Stadler is said to have been late with its paperwork. 

There also commercial question marks. What will the pricing be? Will the OV-chipkaart – the Dutch public transport payment card – be valid until Liège?

Belgian reaction

In Belgium, Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) only just heard the news. “I am really disappointed that operator Arriva did not do its homework well and quickly enough. But I am confident that a postponement will not be a cancellation. In the meantime, the traveler remains assured of a good connection between Liège and Maastricht”, Belga reports.

“This temporary setback makes it clear how important it is to remove technical and regulatory barriers”, Gilkinet says. “That is crucial. Not only for travelers from the border regions, but for all of us, for our economy and our mobility. I will make this a priority action point during the Belgian presidency of the European Union.”

But reality is less bright. Technical regulations and specifications are not altered easily. Who is expected to adapt to whom? Who is going to pay for it?

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