Belgium’s national railway operator, NMBS / SNCB, will stop selling tickets on board its trains from 1 July 2026. The decision, NMBS / SNCB’s leadership argues, follows a sharp rise in aggression towards staff, with 2,602 incidents recorded in 2025 – an average of seven per day – up from 2,103 in 2024. Will the…
Tag: Politics
TGV 9870 Brussels – Strasbourg to be extended to Basel
According to railway observers and fans on Het Grote Belgische Trein Forum (The Big Belgian Train Forum), the SNCF-operated TGV 9870 from Brussels in Belgium to Strasbourg in Alsace, France, will be extended to Basel in Switzerland. This would happen from the mid-December timetable update.
NMBS / SNCB to expand train services by 3% under 2026–2029 transport plan
Belgium‘s Federal Government has approved a new three-year rail transport plan that will see state-owned train operator NMBS / SNCB expand its train services by a further 3% between December 2026 and 2029. One of the most notable changes will be the introduction of additional early-morning trains to Brussels Airport – Zaventem, allowing passengers from…
ANTWERP-LINKEROEVER | Average of 530 people take the train at Linkeroever on weekdays
Since the reopening Antwerp-Linkeroever Railway Station on 2 May 2026, an average of 530 people have been boarding trains there on weekdays. Most of these travellers are heading towards Antwerp-Central Railway Station, Gazet van Antwerpen reports.
ANTWERP | Concept design for Queen Astrid Square / Koningin Astridplein approved
Antwerp’s city council has approved the concept design for the redevelopment of Koningin Astridplein or Queen Astrid Square, marking a significant milestone in the renewal of one of the city’s most central and heavily used public spaces.
Italy welcomes more than 185 million visitors as tourism surges 7.1% in record year 2025
Italy’s tourism industry reached another historic milestone in 2025, with more than 185 million arrivals recorded across the country as international demand for Italian culture, cities, beaches and cuisine continued to grow strongly. New figures from the Italian Interior Ministry’s ‘Alloggiati Web’ system show that total arrivals increased by 7.1% compared with 2024, rising from…
FORMULA 1 | Barcelona-Catalunya and Belgium to rotate Grand Prix
Formula 1 secures a long-term future for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix (formerly Spanish Grand Prix, which moves to the Madring in Madrid) and Belgian Grands Prix, with Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix confirmed until 2032, alternating with Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
European Parliament approves new regulation to upgrade cross-border railway capacity coordination
The European Parliament has given its final approval to the Regulation on the Use of Railway Infrastructure Capacity in the Single European Railway Area, a landmark decision set to transform rail transport across the continent.
Lufthansa Group confident in summer fuel supply
The Lufthansa Group has moved to reassure travellers ahead of the summer season, stating that jet fuel supply is stable across its network. Dieter Vranckx, chief commercial officer, confirmed that the group’s six European hubs – Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, and Rome – as well as its global operations, face no immediate risk of…
ANTWERP | New railway ‘Spoorpark’ park between Zurenborg and Borgerhout to be named Statiepark
A new park between Antwerp‘s Zurenborg neighbourhood and Borgerhout is set to be named Statiepark. The green space, located alongside the railway tracks between Draakplaats and Luitenant Naeyaertplein, is expected to open in the summer of 2027.