Brussels RER
Encyclopedia
The Brussels RER is a rapid transit
system
under construction in Belgium
. It will offer fast connections and increased frequency within 30km of Brussels
, covering a territory inhabited by 2.5 million people.
Total costs for the RER project will be at least €2.173bn. There will be nine lines, with departures at least every 15 minutes.
Construction requires the approval and funding from the federal government
and the three Regions, as well as the collaboration of four public transit companies (SNCB, STIB, De Lijn
, and TEC
). The initial work started in 2005, the commissioning of the network programmed for the year 2012. However, Belgium's administrative complexity caused numerous delays and postponements; the network will now be put into service in 2017.
The RER project includes a 1.25km double-tracked Schuman-Josaphat tunnel in the north east of the city. This will link the European Quarter to Brussels Airport
, cutting journey times between the two to 13 minutes.
Most of the network uses existing rail lines. Increased frequencies and passengers, however, requires significant infrastructure projects:
, with construction announced as being at Siemens' plant in Germany.
Their website currently shows a network plan foreseen for 2012. The map numbers eight lines, while a ninth line (Wavre - Villers-la-Ville) is depicted but not included in the map legend.
in 2008-2009 presented its vision for the RER in the longer term.
The plan envisages a direct link between Ottignies and Leuven
in 2015, with a service between Dendermonde
and Mechelen
and a connection to Gosselies airport (Brussels South Charleroi Airport) in 2020. Further possibilities for expansion are proposed for 2030.
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
system
System
System is a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole....
under construction in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. It will offer fast connections and increased frequency within 30km of Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, covering a territory inhabited by 2.5 million people.
Overview
Most jobs in the Brussels-Capital Region are filled by workers from other regions. Private vehicles clog the city daily, hampering mobility and creating pollution. The RER is a response to these growing problems. Only 20% of commuters use public transport daily; the goal is to double this by facilitating movement into and within the city.Total costs for the RER project will be at least €2.173bn. There will be nine lines, with departures at least every 15 minutes.
History
A first draft of the RER network was published in 1995. The commissioning of the first lines was then planned for 2002.Construction requires the approval and funding from the federal government
Federal government
The federal government is the common government of a federation. The structure of federal governments varies from institution to institution. Based on a broad definition of a basic federal political system, there are two or more levels of government that exist within an established territory and...
and the three Regions, as well as the collaboration of four public transit companies (SNCB, STIB, De Lijn
De Lijn
Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn , usually known as simply De Lijn , is a company run by the Flemish government in Belgium to provide public transportation, similar to the way in which Belgian railroads or the postal system is run. It runs about 3650 buses and 359 trams...
, and TEC
TEC (transport)
Société Régionale Wallonne du Transport , is responsible for the supervision, strategic planning and marketing of a group of five regional public transport companies branded as TEC or "Transport En Commun" in Wallonia, Belgium. It is primarily a bus operator, but also operates the Charleroi tram...
). The initial work started in 2005, the commissioning of the network programmed for the year 2012. However, Belgium's administrative complexity caused numerous delays and postponements; the network will now be put into service in 2017.
Infrastructure
Railway lines within a 30km radius of Brussels are included in the project. Parts of the project are already in place. The most substantial works relate to the quad-tracking of several lines: two tracks for RER trains, and two tracks for intercity and high-speed trains.The RER project includes a 1.25km double-tracked Schuman-Josaphat tunnel in the north east of the city. This will link the European Quarter to Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is an international airport northeast of Brussels, Belgium. The airport is partially in Zaventem and partially in the Diegem area of Machelen, both located in the Flemish Region of Belgium.Brussels Airport currently consists of 54 contact gates, and a total of 109 gates...
, cutting journey times between the two to 13 minutes.
Most of the network uses existing rail lines. Increased frequencies and passengers, however, requires significant infrastructure projects:
- Quad-tracking of sections in order to segregate traffic from international trains
- Demolition and reconstruction of several bridges that cross the wider track
- Construction of additional breakpoints
- Installation of noise barriers
- Redevelopment of 28 existing stations in Brussels
- Construction of a tunnel from Schuman to Josaphat
- Creation of transfer points
- Construction of park-and-ride lots
Rolling stock
SNCB has ordered 305 Siemens Desiro ML single-deck electric multiple units, a €1.425bn contract. These will have a 2MW power rating and a capacity of 280. The deal represents a break from SNCB sourcing its stock from BombardierBombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
, with construction announced as being at Siemens' plant in Germany.
Network
According to the SNCB / NMBS website, the RER will have nine lines.Their website currently shows a network plan foreseen for 2012. The map numbers eight lines, while a ninth line (Wavre - Villers-la-Ville) is depicted but not included in the map legend.
| Line | Route | Stops |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zottegem Zottegem Zottegem is a municipality located in Belgium and more particularly in Flanders, in the province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the town of Zottegem proper and the villages of Elene, Erwetegem, Godveerdegem, Grotenberge, Leeuwergem, Oombergen, Sint-Goriks-Oudenhove,... / Geraardsbergen Geraardsbergen Geraardsbergen is a city and municipality located in the Denderstreek and in the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly southern part of the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Geraardsbergen proper and the following towns:... ↔ Brussels ↔ Arenberg |
37 |
| 2 | Nivelles Nivelles Nivelles is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant. The Nivelles municipality includes the old communes of Baulers, Bornival, Thines, and Monstreux.... ↔ Brussels ↔ Louvain-La-Neuve Louvain-la-Neuve Louvain-la-Neuve is a planned city in the municipality of Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, situated 30 km southeast of Brussels, in the French-speaking part of the country... |
31 |
| 3 | Braine-l'Alleud Braine-l'Alleud Braine-l'Alleud is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant, about 20 kilometers south of Brussels. The Braine-l'Alleud municipality includes the former municipalities of Braine-l'Alleud proper, Ophain-Bois-Seigneur-Isaac, and Lillois-Witterzée. It also includes... ↔ Brussels ↔ Brussels Airport Brussels Airport Brussels Airport is an international airport northeast of Brussels, Belgium. The airport is partially in Zaventem and partially in the Diegem area of Machelen, both located in the Flemish Region of Belgium.Brussels Airport currently consists of 54 contact gates, and a total of 109 gates... ↔ Leuven Leuven Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium... |
19 |
| 4 | Geraardsbergen Geraardsbergen Geraardsbergen is a city and municipality located in the Denderstreek and in the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly southern part of the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Geraardsbergen proper and the following towns:... ↔ Halle Halle, Belgium Halle , is a Belgian city and municipality in the district Halle-Vilvoorde of the province Flemish Brabant. The city is located on the Brussels-Charleroi Canal and on the Flemish side of the language border that separates Flanders and Wallonia... ↔ Brussels ↔ Mechelen Mechelen Mechelen Footnote: Mechelen became known in English as 'Mechlin' from which the adjective 'Mechlinian' is derived... |
33 |
| 5 | Laeken ↔ Aalst Aalst, Belgium Aalst is a city and municipality on the Dender River, 19 miles northwest from Brussels. It is located in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the city of Aalst itself and the villages of Baardegem, Erembodegem, Gijzegem, Herdersem, Hofstade,... |
18 |
| 6 | Braine-le-Comte Braine-le-Comte Braine-le-Comte is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut.On January 1, 2006, Braine-le-Comte had a total population of 20,305... ↔ Brussels ↔ Dendermonde Dendermonde Dendermonde is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the city of Dendermonde proper and the towns of Appels, Baasrode, Grembergen, Mespelare, Oudegem, Schoonaarde, and Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde... |
23 |
| 7 | Halle Halle, Belgium Halle , is a Belgian city and municipality in the district Halle-Vilvoorde of the province Flemish Brabant. The city is located on the Brussels-Charleroi Canal and on the Flemish side of the language border that separates Flanders and Wallonia... ↔ Brussels ↔ Vilvoorde Vilvoorde Vilvoorde is a Belgian municipality in the Flemish province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the city of Vilvoorde proper with its two outlying quarters of Koningslo and Houtem and the small town of Peutie... |
16 |
| 8 | Aalst Aalst, Belgium Aalst is a city and municipality on the Dender River, 19 miles northwest from Brussels. It is located in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the city of Aalst itself and the villages of Baardegem, Erembodegem, Gijzegem, Herdersem, Hofstade,... ↔ Brussels ↔ Louvain-La-Neuve Louvain-la-Neuve Louvain-la-Neuve is a planned city in the municipality of Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, situated 30 km southeast of Brussels, in the French-speaking part of the country... |
18 |
| 9 | Villers-la-Ville Villers-la-Ville Villers-la-Ville is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant. On January 1, 2006 Villers-la-Ville had a total population of 9,572... ↔ Ottignies ↔ Wavre Wavre Wavre is a town and municipality located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant, of which it is the capital.Wavre is located in the Dyle valley. Most of its inhabitants speak French as mother tongue and are called "Wavriens" and "Wavriennes"... |
9 |
2009 plan
A study conducted by Significance, Stratec, Tractebel and Tritel for the FPS Mobility and TransportFPS Transport Belgium
The FPS Mobility and Transport , is a Federal Public Service of Belgium. It was created by Royal Order on November 20, 2001, as part of the plans of the first Verhofstadt Government to modernise the federal administration...
in 2008-2009 presented its vision for the RER in the longer term.
The plan envisages a direct link between Ottignies and Leuven
Leuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
in 2015, with a service between Dendermonde
Dendermonde
Dendermonde is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the city of Dendermonde proper and the towns of Appels, Baasrode, Grembergen, Mespelare, Oudegem, Schoonaarde, and Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde...
and Mechelen
Mechelen
Mechelen Footnote: Mechelen became known in English as 'Mechlin' from which the adjective 'Mechlinian' is derived...
and a connection to Gosselies airport (Brussels South Charleroi Airport) in 2020. Further possibilities for expansion are proposed for 2030.