Netherlands and Belgium Sign Agreement to Cut Brussels-Eindhoven Train Time by Half
Eindhoven, Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Currently requiring up to four transfers and taking 3.5 hours, the journey from Eindhoven’s tech hub to Brussels could be dramatically shortened through new rail infrastructure or optimized existing tracks. The February 17th agreement targets the Brainport region, home to semiconductor giant ASML and Philips, where a car journey takes just 1.5 hours compared to the lengthy train alternative. Both countries will study two scenarios with concrete agreements expected by summer 2026, though no funding has been allocated yet.
A Tale of Two Routes: Current Travel Challenges
The stark contrast between rail and road travel times between these two economic centers highlights the infrastructure gap that has long frustrated business leaders and policymakers. Currently, passengers traveling from Eindhoven Central to Brussels-South face a journey of approximately 2.5 hours with one transfer in Breda, or alternatively, 2 hours and 23 minutes with two transfers through Breda and Antwerp [1]. In contrast, the same journey by car takes about 1.5 hours without traffic congestion [1]. Dutch Secretary of State Thierry Aartsen has been particularly vocal about these inefficiencies, stating that travelers from ASML to Brussels, “the most important city on our continent,” currently endure a 3.5-hour journey requiring approximately four transfers, “if the train even runs” [4]. This disparity becomes especially problematic for the Brainport region’s semiconductor industry, where reliable international connectivity is essential for maintaining competitive advantage [1].
The Antwerp Agreement: Framework for Cross-Border Cooperation
On February 17, 2026, Secretary of State Thierry Aartsen and Belgian Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke signed a letter of intent in Antwerp, marking a significant step toward addressing these connectivity challenges [1][2]. The agreement extends beyond the Eindhoven-Brussels connection, encompassing a broader framework for cross-border railway cooperation that includes military mobility and railway resilience considerations [3]. The declaration specifically references the 3RX corridor, an alternative to the historically contentious IJzeren Rijn freight line between Antwerp and the German Ruhr area [3]. This comprehensive approach reflects both countries’ recognition that regional economic integration requires robust infrastructure foundations. The agreement also establishes a governance structure whereby ministers from both countries will meet at least annually, supported by a bilateral working group convening twice yearly [3].
Two Pathways to Enhanced Connectivity
The joint declaration outlines two potential scenarios for improving the Brainport-Brussels connection, each with distinct cost implications and timelines [1]. The first option involves building entirely new infrastructure, potentially running parallel to the A67/E3 highway toward Antwerp, though such construction would likely require one to two decades and cost between €3-6 billion, comparable to other major Dutch infrastructure projects like the proposed Lelylijn [4]. The more pragmatic alternative focuses on optimizing existing infrastructure through a new intercity service, potentially utilizing an 8-kilometer stretch of track between Weert and Hamont that could be adapted for passenger transport [4]. This latter option would create the proposed “Brainport-Brussellijn” running from Eindhoven via Weert and Lommel toward Antwerp or Brussels [4]. The study examining both scenarios aims to provide clarity on the preferred approach before summer 2026, when the declaration of intent is expected to be converted into a broader framework agreement [2][3].
Economic Implications and Timeline Pressures
The urgency surrounding this rail project reflects broader economic pressures facing the Brainport region, which has been described as “bursting at the seams” due to rapid growth in high-tech industries [4]. However, despite the political momentum, no funds have been allocated to implement the rail line plans, creating uncertainty about the project’s financial viability [1]. The timeline established by the agreement creates specific pressure points: concrete agreements must be secured by summer 2026 to transform intentions into actionable commitments [1][2]. This deadline coincides with the broader framework agreement timeline, suggesting that the Eindhoven-Brussels connection will serve as a test case for the countries’ cross-border cooperation model [3]. The success or failure of this initiative may influence other proposed connections, including freight rail links between the port of Ghent and Terneuzen, and improvements to connections between Belgium and the Dutch provinces of Noord-Brabant and Limburg [3].