SNCB releases details of S-train express network

National rail authority SNCB has revealed its plans for the regional express network (RER) in and around Brussels. The plans include the opening of the Schuman-Josaphat tunnel after eight years of works. That tunnel will provide a new and faster link to other lines, including a connection to Brussels Airport, Vilvoorde, Mechelen and points further east.

The plan for the new “S-trains”, which comes into effect on 13 December, also includes two new stops, at Germoir in Ixelles and at Tour & Taxis in Laeken. The Germoir stop has been in place for several years, but has so far not seen any passengers. The Tour & Taxis stop is adjacent to Pannenhuis metro and hasn’t been used for 30 years. Because of the development of the Tour & Taxis site, including the arrival of Flemish government administration, the site is being reopened.

The new routes include express links to and from Brussels to other cities, including Louvain-La-Neuve, Mechelen, Leuven, Aalst and Dendermonde. They will correspond with STIB transport where possible, said SNCB, but integration of tickets is not yet on the agenda. Travellers transferring from the Brussels metro to the S-train, for example, will have to pay for two tickets. But fare for the network can be loaded on the region’s Mobib card.