Genk (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Mayor Wim Dries of Genk criticizes NMBS for canceling direct trains to Blankenberge, complicating travel. He seeks improved train services and punctuality in a meeting with NMBS officials.
Mayor Wim Dries of Genk is upset about the end of the direct train service between Genk and Blankenberge. He pointed out that Genk is an important entry point to East Limburg, but NMBS (the Belgian National Railway Company) is not paying enough attention to it. With the direct train to Blankenberge being taken away, passengers will now need to change trains to get to Genk. Dries thinks this change will make things harder for travelers. Having to switch trains could make it less easy and less appealing to visit Genk. He is worried that NMBS’s decision hurts the city’s connections and its importance as a main stop in the area.
How can Genk improve its train connections with NMBS?
Mayor Wim Dries criticized the train connections to Genk, saying they aren’t good enough. He mentioned that there are enough trains to Brussels in the morning, but the number goes down a lot in the evening and on weekends. This makes it harder and less convenient for people to travel to and from Genk. Dries pointed out that Genk station has the worst on-time record in Belgium. This issue makes it even harder for commuters and visitors. He is asking for better train service frequency and more punctuality at Genk station to improve the city’s connections and overall travel experience.
Traveler Pieter Geelen mentioned that the train schedules don’t match the De Lin buses, and he heard from a conductor that since NMBS is Belgian and De Lin is Flemish, that’s why things aren’t working well. He’s upset about the train to the coast being canceled and is considering driving instead. Myriam added that Limburg is being overlooked, with too few train connections to other big cities, and having trains only once an hour isn’t enough for a city like Genk.
Mayor Wim Dries and Alderman for Mobility Karel Kriekemans (CD&V) are going to discuss how NMBS (the Belgian National Railway Company) has been ignoring Genk in a meeting this afternoon. They will talk about how Genk isn’t getting the services it deserves, especially with the recent changes in train schedules and the station’s poor punctuality. They aim to ask for better train services, with more frequent and reliable trains for Genk. They want to express their worries about how NMBS is treating the city. It has been said that this meeting is a chance to find solutions and ensure Genk gets the transit help it needs.
