Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, François Bausch;

On Monday 6 November 2017, Luxembourg's Minister for Sustainabble Development and Infrastructure, François Bausch, met François Bellot, Belgium's Minister of Mobility, in charge of Belgocontrol and the Belgian National Railway Company, in Arlon, across the border in Belgium.

The two discussed progress on rail mobility for border commuters, including commuter car parks and cross-border pricing.

In a letter of intent signed jointly, the ministers agreed to introduce interesting cross-border pricing with free parking at train stations at Arlon, Aubange, Bertrix, Florenville, Forrière, Gouvy, Grupont, Habay, Halanzy, Jemelle, Libramont, Marbehan, Messancy, Neufchateau, Poix-Saint-Hubert, Stockem, Trois-Ponts, Vielsalm, Virton, Viville, Marche area (Marloie, Marche-en-Famenne, Aye), to promote rail service between Arlon and Luxembourg and to upgrade the passenger relationship between Luxembourg and Brussels through the use of quality rolling stock, the reduction of travel time and the modernisation of the network.

Cross-border pricing and subscriptions

With regard to cross-border pricing and free parking at railway stations, the two ministers agreed that with effect from 1 December 2017, prices of monthly basic subscriptions will be reduced by €13.50, and prices of annual subscriptions base will be reduced by €135 (for example for a monthly subscription Arlon-Luxembourg to reduce from €93.50 to €80). The resulting income difference will be borne by Luxembourg.

In return, and with effect from the same date, the Belgian railways (SNCB) will make available free-of-charge to holders of a Belgium-Luxembourg train pass (for work) near the aforementioned stations.

In addition, on the basis of the first conclusions drawn from the investigations carried out after the railway collision of 14 February 2017, the Railway Administration had set a deadline for authorisation on the Luxembourg rail network of vehicles traveling under the MEMOR II + system. After 31 December 2019, only ETCS equipment will be accepted on rolling stock.

A working group between national safety authorities will be in charge of ensuring the transition between traffic on the Luxembourg rail network of rolling stock equipped with the Memor II + driver assistance device and the ETCS subsystem which is the security which is operated since 1 July 2017 on the Luxembourg rail network.

Minister Bausch said: "I welcome this agreement and believe that these developments are an important step towards a cross-border mobility strategy."