Mortsel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Mayor Michiel Hubeau of Mortsel advocates for increasing train service at Mortsel-Oude God station from 1 to 2 trains per hour to improve public transport and reduce car dependency.
Mayor Michiel Hubeau of Mortsel wants more trains at Mortsel-Oude God station. Currently, there is only one train each hour. Hubeau believes this is not enough for local people and commuters. He says fewer trains make public transport less attractive, leading more people to use cars, which causes traffic jams.
To solve this, the city council is asking the NMBS to bring back 2 trains per hour. Hubeau thinks having a train every half hour would help passengers and give them choices if a train is late. They mentioned that the goal is to make train travel easier and more reliable so people can plan their lives without depending on cars.
“Only 1 train per hour is not enough for our residents and people from the wider region,”
Says Mayor Michiel Hubeau (Groen Vooruit).
“We want to give the NMBS a clear message that there should be 2 trains per hour again.”
Will Mortsel-Oude God get more trains?
Mortsel is asking nearby towns for help to improve train service. Edegem and Boechout will take this request to their councils. Hove is also thinking about joining. Many people want to use the train, but the limited service makes it hard. This forces them to drive instead. The towns want better transport to reduce traffic and help the environment.
“We want people to be able to organize their lives smoothly.”
Michiel Hubeau (Green Forward), mayor
A new motion asks the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS) to bring back 2 trains per hour at Mortsel-Oude God station starting in December 2025. For now, the transport plan will stay the same, but local leaders want a temporary fix for commuters.
Local leaders mentioned that one idea is to have a train that goes to Mechelen stop at Mortsel-Oude God starting in June 2025. They said that this would give 2 trains per hour to Mechelen, where people can switch to trains to Brussels. The motion will be sent to NMBS and the ministers of Mobility to improve the station’s service.
“We are also looking for an interim solution. That is why we are asking that from June a train that now runs through the station to Mechelen, would also stop in Mortsel-Oude God. Then there will already be 2 trains per hour again to Mechelen, where a transfer to Brussels is possible.”
Michiel Hubeau says.
Groen, the party of the mayor, is still pushing for better train services with its annual “Valentrein” campaign. This campaign invites commuters to send cards to NMBS to share their concerns about train services and to ask for better access.
This year, 800 cards have already been sent. The travellers’ group Trein TramBus has also taken action against the cuts to train services at this station. Their efforts add to the calls for regular train connections to be restored.
