The partnership between Dutch and Belgian national railway companies, NS and NMBS/SNCB, is embarking on a significant upgrade to the intercity train connection between Brussels and the Netherlands. By late 2024, the number of daily intercity trains shuttling between the two capitals will double from the current 16 to 32, offering travelers increased convenience and efficiency.
This endeavor comes with an additional promise: faster service. The upgraded trains, specially designed for this route, will slash travel times by approximately 45 minutes. Commuters can anticipate completing the journey from Amsterdam to Brussels in just over two hours. This shorter timeframe is achieved through a combination of factors, including the deployment of new, rapid trains and the optimization of intermediate stops. The quicker pace of these trains will make them a viable alternative to the existing Thalys high-speed service that currently connects Bruxelles-Midi and Amsterdam Central.
The key catalyst for these improvements lies in the introduction of new trains, known as Intercity (ICNG), capable of reaching a maximum speed of 200 km per hour. These trains are primed to navigate the high-speed line, and their deployment aligns with the broader goal of offering swift and sustainable international travel options.
In the restructured timetable, the new intercity trains will operate a total of 16 times daily between Amsterdam-South and Bruxelles Midi (Brussels South). These trains will make stops at key locations such as Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam, and Antwerp-Central, while the Brussels Airport stop will be dropped. This shift means that smaller stations along the current route, such as Brussels Airport, will no longer offer direct connections to Amsterdam. However, according to NS, passengers can still expect a comparable journey time by transferring at Rotterdam.
Beyond the connectivity from Amsterdam, this upgrade will also introduce a parallel connection. The Intercity Brussels, originating from Rotterdam Central, will make 16 daily trips to Brussels South Midi. This route will cater to travelers journeying through Breda and other existing intermediate stops, including Brussels Airport. Passengers traveling, for instance, from The Hague, Utrecht, and Amsterdam will transfer through Rotterdam Central.
NS and NMBS/SNCB are yet to finalize crucial details such as the timetable and ticket pricing for this enhanced service.
The popularity of Brussels as an international destination is underscored by the success of the NS International service, which has been selling an average of 39,000 tickets per month to Brussels over the past six months, with Antwerp coming close at 36,000 tickets. The plan to operate 47 trains daily between the Netherlands and Brussels by 2025 further solidifies the significance of this link for travelers and business alike.
