Belgium’s Minister of Mobility, George Gilkinet, and Luxembourg’s Minister of Transport, Yuriko Backes, jointly submitted a formal request for European Union funding to upgrade the rail infrastructure that links Luxembourg City and Brussels.
The collaborative effort aims to enhance travel times and interconnectivity, benefitting the approximately 45,000 daily passengers commuting between Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
The recent meeting, as reported by SchengenVisaInfo.com, builds upon a commitment made earlier through the signing of a letter of intent on October 3, 2023, by Minister Gilkinet.
The primary objective of this partnership is to strengthen the cross-border connection and attract an increasing number of passengers to opt for train travel.
The submitted proposal outlines ambitious targets set to be achieved by 2040. These include doubling the proportion of passengers choosing train travel between Belgium and Luxembourg and the rail freight volume between the two nations.
A crucial aspect of the initiative is to increase the attractiveness of train travel by reducing travel times between the capitals. The parties aim to achieve a two-hour connection between Brussels and Luxembourg City by 2030.
This commitment is supported by Belgium’s national railway company NMBS/SNCB and Luxembourg’s operator Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL).
The joint venture’s roots can be traced back to a letter of intent signed in 2016, pledged to connect the capitals within two hours by 2023.
However, the journey from Luxembourg to Brussels by train currently takes three hours and fifteen minutes.
Initiated in 2007, the improvement project initially received €132 million in European funds.
Despite this financial injection, subsequent disputes between the two countries have arisen over the overall cost, which is anticipated to reach approximately €750 million.
Minister Bausch of Luxembourg highlighted the nation’s commitment by contributing around €100 million to the works on its side of the border in 2021.
The move to secure EU funding underscores the shared commitment to fostering a seamless rail connection and enhancing the overall transportation experience for passengers.
By tapping into the financial support of the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg aim to overcome previous challenges and propel the modernization of the rail infrastructure forward.
As the project progresses, it holds the promise of transforming the physical connectivity between the two nations and contributing to broader European goals of sustainable and efficient cross-border transportation.
The proposed enhancements align with the vision of a more integrated and accessible European rail network, promoting both passenger and freight transport.
In conclusion, the joint efforts of Belgium and Luxembourg, backed by EU funding, mark a significant step towards realizing a faster, more efficient rail connection between Brussels and Luxembourg City, setting the stage for a more interconnected and accessible future in European transportation.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
