Belgium’s federal Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) wants to make a direct train connection between Belgium and Switzerland possible again, Gazet van Antwerpen and Het Nieuwsblad report. In his latest policy note, Minister Crucke argues that a direct rail link is necessary and says he intends to give instructions to prepare a relaunch of the service. 

According to the minister, Switzerland has also expressed clear interest in restoring an international train service along this strategic corridor.

For today’s rail passengers travelling from Belgium to Switzerland, the journey requires time, patience and a tolerance for long transfer breaks. Veteran public transport expert Herman Welter points out that this was not always the case. Until 2016, travellers could take a direct train from Brussels to the Swiss city of Basel three times a day. 

Welter also recalls that in the late 1950s it was possible to travel from Brussels to Basel by train in just five hours. Despite the use of high-speed trains on parts of the route today, the journey now easily takes around six hours.

2016

The disappearance of the direct connection in 2016 happened quietly, according to Welter. One of the reasons was the need to invest in new rolling stock. At the time, the Belgian railway company NMBS / SNCB also considered it acceptable for passengers to take the high-speed line to Strasbourg and change there for Basel. 

In practice, that transfer proved highly problematic, especially in the first years. Many passengers regularly missed the onward train in Strasbourg and were left watching it depart. As a result, a significant number of travellers abandoned the route altogether.

Crucke now wants to reverse that situation. In his policy note, he describes a direct train to Switzerland as essential and says preparations should be made in cooperation with Luxembourg, France and Switzerland. He stresses that there is strong interest on the Swiss side in developing an international rail service along this axis.

Challenges

Mobility experts, however, warn that reinstating a direct connection will not be straightforward. Welter supports the idea but emphasises the complexity of the project. Success will depend not only on Swiss cooperation, but also on France’s willingness to participate. 

A crucial factor will be the allocation of train paths: the limited time slots during which a direct service would be allowed to use the tracks. According to Welter, the attractiveness of the service will largely depend on the departure and arrival times that can be secured.

“No time”

Crucke’s renewed enthusiasm for a direct Swiss connection is also politically sensitive. Last summer, he faced sharp criticism after travelling by plane to Zurich for meetings on rail transport and autonomous vehicles. He publicly shared the trip by posting a selfie taken on the flight from Brussels to Zurich. 

Critics, including the green party Ecolo, described the move as hypocritical for a minister responsible for rail policy. Crucke defended himself by saying he was under severe time pressure and needed to return to Brussels quickly, which he argued was not possible given the existing train schedules.

Despite the controversy, the minister’s policy note signals a renewed ambition to strengthen international rail links and to make long-distance train travel a more competitive alternative to flying, including on routes between Belgium and Switzerland.

Mixed memories

Did the Brussels – Basel link disappear that quietly? I remember a special train service being operated in 2016 with the famed SBB-CFF-FFS panoramic coaches for the last run. That was not accessible to mere mortals, but was reserved for VIPs. 

Also, the service wasn’t that great. If you didn’t book your seat, you could lose it as in France, it was used for domestic travelled and if a French passenger booked your seat, you could end standing up for many hours. 

There was also no catering on board. Brussels – Luxembourg – Basel is a long journey. So if I had some decision making power, I would use comfortable rolling stock and include a restaurant car. 

NMBS / SNCB has I6, I10 and I11 rolling stock fit for international travel (hence the I in their denomination), but these are being rented out and / or used for services to Paris and the Netherlands. 

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