Train travelers between Antwerp and Brussels should prepare for increased disruptions this summer. From Saturday, June 28, to Sunday, August 31, rail traffic will be significantly reduced due to critical renovation works in Mechelen, as announced by NMBS and Infrabel.
During weekday rush hours—defined as 6 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.—all IC trains will prioritize the busiest direction: heading to Brussels in the morning and returning to Antwerp in the evening. In the opposite direction, service will be cut from three to two trains per hour. S-trains will operate on a reduced schedule during these peak times, running every other train.
Outside of peak hours, passengers will face a further reduction, with only two IC trains per hour in both directions. S-trains, however, will continue normal operation during off-peak periods. On weekends, a separate timetable will be in effect. Passengers are encouraged to consult the NMBS route planner or station screens for the latest updates.
This announcement follows a controversial decision in December 2024, when an hourly IC train between the two cities was replaced by an international service inaccessible to domestic passengers. TreinTramBus, a passenger advocacy group, has voiced strong objections to the latest reductions, warning of severe overcrowding and questioning NMBS’s commitment to finding efficient alternatives.
NMBS maintains that rerouting was explored but deemed ineffective. Infrabel defends the disruption as necessary, citing critical renovation on Mechelen’s 90-year-old Vierendeelbrug and additional track and signal maintenance. These works, they claim, are vital for long-term safety and rail quality.