The Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium to be Connected by New Train Line by December 2023.

While Europe may be petite and navigating between countries is relatively easy, there is always room for improvement. This is especially true when it comes to traveling from one smaller city to another. It can still be bothersome, even if the cities are relatively close to one another, such as Maastricht (Netherlands), Aachen (Germany), and Liège (Belgium). Despite a short distance separating the three cities, transportation has not been easy in the past. But starting in December 2023, this will change.

When trying to link different cities in foreign countries via train, it's important to consider the cooperation of both governments and railway providers. This can be a challenging task, as the recent example of a three-country train service illustrates. Despite the initiative being in development since 2019, it has just recently been approved for implementation. Belgian Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet emphasized that this new service will provide passengers with expanded travel options, increased comfort, and fully accessible trains crossing national borders.

It's a great progress that various operators and political levels are collaborating efficiently towards this goal.

In order to get the project started, the SNCB (Belgium), NS (Netherlands), and Arriva (Germany) have come to an agreement. Beforehand, the Aachen-Maastricht leg of the journey was already in place, but Belgium had not given approval for various practical reasons, such as the need to install the European Train Control System onto the three-country train. However, the transport ministries have now signed a declaration stating their intentions to install the service.

So, why not start the new railway connection right away instead of waiting until December? Well, setting up a new train service requires proper planning and coordination among everyone involved. Trains need to be adjusted, schedules must be synchronized, and operators need to collaborate. Dutch state secretary Vivianne Heijnen emphasized the need for commitment and determination from all parties involved to ensure the successful running of the train. The three-country train is scheduled to run every hour, providing regular transportation opportunities for both tourists and commuters. Additionally, the introduction of this service will make it easier for residents of these cities to access international connections, such as London or Berlin.