The Regional Express Network
Brussels is currently gasping for breath under the increasing pressure of road traffic. For this reason, the Belgian government has decided to increase train capacity by 50% by 2019. The Regional Express Network (RER) will provide travellers located within a 30km radius of the capital city with an average of 1 train every 15 minutes during peak periods.
Expansion of 5 railway tracks
The only way to increase capacity is by doubling the number of tracks on the five major axes leading to and from Brussels. More specifically, this implies an expansion from two to four tracks on the following 5 routes:
The Brussels-Halle and the Brussels-Leuven lines have been finished and work is currently taking place on the Brussels-Denderleeuw, Brussels-Ottignies and Brussels-Nivelles lines.
Improving mobility in the European district
The project Watermael-Schuman-Josaphat will increase mobility around the Brussels European district. By 2015, the Schuman square will be less than a fifteen-minute train ride from the airport. Travellers from Mechelen, Hasselt, Leuven or Liege will no longer have to change trains to reach the economic heart of Brussels. To this end, Infrabel is building a 1.25km tunnel to create a direct connection between the Brussels to Namur and Halle to Vilvoorde rail lines.
Stations and stops
The stations and stops along the five major axes around Brussels are being prepared for the RER trains too. We are elevating the platforms, renovating platform facilities and ensuring that accessibility is improved. While modernising the stops on the RER network, we are also streamlining connections with other public transport systems. This means that passengers can easily switch from train to tram, bus and metro.
