Rail is the future

Belgium is a densely populated country, and part of an industrious region with a highly developed economy. It comprises major harbours to access the vast continental hinterland and encompasses some of Europe’s busiest rail corridors. As such, the country experiences on a daily basis the stringent need to quickly, comfortably, safely and efficiently move large numbers of people and goods to and from multiple destinations – with minimal environmental impact. 

Research indicates that rail is environmentally more favourable than other modes of transport, due to lower energy consumption, less land usage, accessibility for all, reduced congestion and fewer accidents compared with road transportation. Some examples:
• For every passenger-km shifted from road to rail transport, two-thirds of the emitted CO2 would be avoided 
• In terms of land use per unit and per passenger km, one train can replace 10 busses or 180 cars
• According to the OECD, the transport sector accounts for 23 percent of world-related greenhouse gas emissions. The vast majority of that total is caused by road transport and around one percent by rail
• Higher rail market share will play a crucial role in achieving the goals (unattained until now) set by the 1997 United Nations Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

No wonder the country has chosen to develop a sustainable network of regional, commuter and intercity trains, metros and trams. Belgian National Railways (SNCB), for example, has embarked on a programme of investment, and the company has made significant efforts to increase both capacity and comfort of its fleet by introducing more of the latest generation double-deck intercity trains to the network. Also Brussels Public Transport Company STIB supports the efforts to curb traffic congestion and to reduce CO2 emissions and, on top of the 68 FLEXITY vehicles that already operate on significant parts of the 533-km public transport network that serves more than 286 million riders each year, commissioned from Bombardier an additional 102 bi-directional 100% low-floor trams in January 2008. Two of these very same trams will also be shipped to Vancouver (Canada) for a unique streetcar demonstration project that will help the city provide public transit service during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.