The Belgian national rail operator NMBS / SNCB is under mounting pressure over its planned order of new trains from Spanish manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), as political debate, legal challenges and international criticism threaten to delay the procurement.
Tag: NMBS / SNCB
NMBS / SNCB sees popularity increase of international train travel
Year after year, Belgian railway operator NMBS / SNCB is seeing growing interest in international train travel during the summer months. Since 2019, the number of bookings via NMBS / SNCB International has increased by more than 50 per cent, the operator says in a press release.
BELGIUM | NMBS / SNCB confirms CAF as preferred bidder for AM30
On 23 July 2025, Belgium‘s state-owned railway company NMBS / SNCB has reaffirmed Spanish train manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) as the “preferred bidder” for its major train order, despite ongoing criticism from trade unions and politicians over the impact on local employment.
Antwerp hotels fully booked ahead of Ed Sheeran, Drake and Antwerp Pride weekend
The 18th edition (since 2008) of Antwerp Pride takes place from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August 2025 in Antwerp. This year’s theme is “Do not just march! Listen. Understand. Commit”. Prides are a mix of celebration – parties – and activism and advocacy. For the 2025 edition, the organising committee focuses on belonging. Belonging…
ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 | Change Station at Antwerp-Central’s Perszaal offers safe haven to change into pride outfit
The 18th edition (since 2008) of Antwerp Pride takes place from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August 2025. This year’s theme is “Do not just march! Listen. Understand. Commit”. Prides are a mix of celebration – parties – and activism and advocacy. For the 2025 edition, the organising committee focuses on belonging. Belonging to the…
EUROSTAR | London – Frankfurt, London – Geneva and Amsterdam – Antwerp – Brussels – Geneva from 2030?
In a press release on 10 June 2025, Eurostar announces the ambition to run direct high-speed trains from the United Kingdom to Germany and Switzerland and from the Netherlands via Belgium to Switzerland. But will it happen? Or when?
Hamont – Weert on foot, because the train connection still isn’t there
Dutch rail infrastructure manager ProRail counts the Weert – Hamont rail connection as one of the future links between the Netherlands and Belgium. But while there are tracks, there is still no (passenger) train connection. So I walked it it on a February 2025 Wednesday. Also, crossing a border on foot has a lot of…
Antwerp-Linkeroever Railway Station to reopen in 2026!
Well, well, well. We were adamant it wouldn’t happen, but it will. Belgium‘s national train operator NMBS / SNCB and rail infrastructure manager Infrabel are going to refurbish Antwerp-Linkeroever Railway Station. The Belgian Railways sent out a press release.
ANTWERP | Extra ferries and shuttle buses from May 2026 to accommodate premetro works, but Waasland Tunnel must first close for three months
From May 2026, tram services between Antwerp-Central Railway Station and Linkeroever (Left Bank) will be suspended for at least six months due to major renovation works on the premetro tunnel, which dates back to 1975 and is in urgent need of refurbishment. In preparation, the Waasland Tunnel will close for three months this autumn. The…
Antwerp-Linkeroever Railway Station to reopen after all?
Belgium‘s train operator NMBS / SNCB and and rail infrastructure manager Infrabel are examining the feasibility of reopening a train station on Linkeroever (Left Bank) in Antwerp. Koen Kennis (N-VA), alderman for Mobility, expressed cautious optimism about the idea during a recent city council meeting.
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