Brussels, 24 July 2025
Image by EmDee, under the license GNU Free Documentation License, version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation. Source: Palace of the Nation (Wikipedia).
▶ A new proposal currently under discussion in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives seeks to give systematic priority to domestic passenger services operated under Public Service Obligations (PSO) – such as those provided by the national operator NMBS/SNCB – over commercial and international train services.
▶ While the intention may be to protect domestic rail services, the approach fundamentally contradicts the principles of fair, non-discriminatory access to railway infrastructure.
Belgium’s central location in Europe makes it a natural hub for international rail traffic, with high-speed services like Paris–Brussels–Amsterdam offering essential cross-border connectivity for many domestic passengers.
▷ The growing interest of international operators in the Belgian rail network is a sign of success and European integration, not a threat.
Under current EU rules, rail infrastructure capacity must be allocated in a transparent and equitable manner. Prioritising PSO services by default – even on saturated lines – would unfairly disadvantage commercial and international operators who invest in innovation, sustainability, and customer experience, often without relying on already overstretched public subsidies.
These operators contribute significantly to modal shift and climate goals by offering viable alternatives to air and car travel. Instead of restricting their access, Belgium should invest in expanding capacity and fostering competition that benefits all passengers – whether domestic or international.
We strongly oppose any legal change that would erode the principle of neutrality in infrastructure allocation. Claims of protecting public service must not come at the cost of closing the door to progress, choice, and cross-border mobility.
ALLRAIL’s secretary general Nick Brooks says: “Prioritising public service trains by default undermines fair competition and violates the principle of non-discriminatory access to rail infrastructure. Belgium should focus on expanding capacity, not restricting it.”