Mobility newsletter - February 2025

Mobility newsletter February 2025

What's new in mobility land? At the start of each month, we share the latest news related to all things mobility in our mobility newsletter.

In the news 📰

The new management agreement between SNCB and the government aims for a 30% increase in passengers by 2032. SNCB wants to achieve this by encouraging travel during off-peak hours and weekends. NMBS introduces a 40% discount for off-peak travelers with a €6/month advantage card, while long-distance fares drop by 20%. Discounts for youth, seniors, and low-income travelers will be based on distance instead of fixed fares, benefiting short-distance travelers. A new weekend ticket offers a 30% discount for adults aged 26-64, also applicable for one-way trips, and small groups of four get 40% off during off-peak hours. More information can be found in this article.

The EU is reconsidering its 2035 ban on new combustion engine cars, a key part of the Green Deal. Germany, Italy, and Poland, along with automakers, have pressured the EU to allow synthetic fuels and certain hybrid vehicles beyond 2035. Declining electric vehicle sales and competition from China have also fueled this debate. A strategic document from January suggests potential exceptions for plug-in hybrids and small combustion engines. Meanwhile, France has refused to enshrine the 2035 ban in its national law, highlighting growing political resistance. Also the new Belgium government has announced that plug-in hybrids will be again fiscally attractive. More information can be found in this article.

Mobility facts 🧮

The number of hazardous traffic locations (“zwarte punten”) in Flanders has decreased from 800 in 2002 to 264 in the latest dynamic list, which is updated annually to reflect changing traffic conditions. Effective safety measures include installing barriers (-42% casualties), building tunnels or bridges (-39%), adding roundabouts (-33%), and separate bike lanes (-29%). Quick fixes like road markings also reduce accidents by 19%, though structural changes have a greater impact. However, infrastructure improvements alone cannot eliminate accidents, as reckless driving, alcohol, and drug use remain major factors. You can find the hazardous traffic locations here.

Shared mobility is growing in Belgium, with 24 million trips made using shared bikes and e-scooters. The number of car-sharing users in Flanders has risen to 46,599 (+22%), making 749,009 trips in 2024. The highest concentration of shared bikes is in Flanders and shared e-scooters is in Brussels. Brussels also leads in shared mobility per capita, outperforming cities like London but lagging behind Paris. Source

Did you know❓

Runway 07R/25L at Zaventem Airport will be closed for nearly seven weeks this summer, from July 12 to August 27, for renovation work, including new asphalt, lighting, and drainage. Another runway will also be closed from August 2 to 12, due to its intersection with runway 07R/25L. During this period, only one runway will be operational, affecting the airport's preferred runway usage system. Brussels Airport's runway network forms a Z-shape, with 07R/25L being the most used for landings, handling over half of last year's arrivals. Source

France and Italy confirmed plans to open the Tende Tunnel and the second tube of the Fréjus Tunnel in June, while also proposing a new tunnel for Mont Blanc. A technical committee of French, Italian, and possibly Swiss engineers will assess the feasibility, costs, and environmental impact of a second Mont Blanc tunnel tube. More information in this article.