Faster intercity train service between Brussels and Amsterdam to launch end of 2024

Belgian and Dutch rail companies will start running an extra fast train service between Brussels and Amsterdam at the end of 2024, reports Bruzz.

Although the connection between the two capital will be 40 minutes faster, it will only stop at Brussels-South station, skipping both Brussels-North and Brussels-Central stations.

Running between Brussels-Midi and Amsterdam, the new train will stop at Antwerp-Central, Rotterdam-Central and Schiphol.

This new service is in addition to the current Benelux train and will bring the number of regular trains between Brussels and the Netherlands from 16 to 32 per day.

The faster intercity service will run to Amsterdam-South instead of the capital’s central station. Passengers can take the tram or metro from the South station to Amsterdam city centre.

As well as scrapping several stops, NS (Dutch Railways) plans to quicken the service by deploying new rolling stock that will reach 200km/h per hour on the high-speed line from December.

Belgian public transport users organisation TreinTramBus is broadly in favour of the new train: "There is certainly a demand for a fast train connection between Brussels and Amsterdam. It's finally here," said spokesperson Kees Smilde.

Nevertheless, the nonprofit raised questions about the faster service skipping Brussels-North and Brussels-Central. "We ask that this be reviewed. Brussels-North is an important transfer station to the rest of Belgium, and Brussels-Central remains the main destination for tourists and travellers to the city centre."

Both the North and Central stations will still be served by the normal train connection to the Netherlands, which also stops at Brussels Airport-Zaventem, Mechelen and Breda.

Photo: ©NS Railways Facebook page