Ten-point plan for better service provision by the NMBS

With a ten-point plan for the railways, the N-VA hopes to improve the service provided to passengers. The plan contains not only a number of familiar ideas, such as wi-fi or wireless internet on the train and a guaranteed service provision, but also a number of new concepts. “For example, we want a European punctuality standard, an integrated payment card and more effective sanctions for fare dodgers and vandals,” says the N-VA. The plan also includes a permanent Flemish transport plan.

On the occasion of Mobility Week, the N-VA is fine-tuning its vision for the NMBS. For example,it's revisiting its petition for a guaranteed service provision, wi-fi on the train, and a separate timetabling for Saturdays and Sundays and the suburban networks of Ghent and Antwerp. The latter is also present in the Flemish coalition agreement, but the N-VA wants to speed up efforts.

New measures

The N-VA's goal is for punctuality to be measured in the same way all across Europe. By doing so, variation in punctuality will become apparent. “This way the NMBS can learn from the better students in the class,” says the N-VA. The party also wants to see a stricter approach in dealing with fare dodgers and vandals, by giving conductors the option of issuing administrative sanctions. Moreover, the party also seeks to see passengers being offered the lowest possible fare at all times.

Flemish transport plan

Remarkable: the N-VA wants a permanent Flemish transport plan. During the wave of strikes at the start of June, the NMBS switched over temporarily to a Flemish transport plan such as this to prevent Walloon strikes from having a negative impact on train traffic in Flanders. The N-VA now wants to apply that on a permanent basis: “This does a better job of meeting passenger needs and prevents Flanders from experiencing the negative fallout from Walloon strikes.”

In addition, the party is also promoting a single integrated payment card for all forms of public transport. “For passengers, everything has to be simple, clear and above all user-friendly.” Finally, the party also wishes to see stations act as a multi-modal junction: every station must be equipped with sufficient bicycle storage and parking facilities.