The analysis of the railway passengers carried in Belgium from 2013 to 2023 shows an overall fluctuating trend. Despite a decline in some years, the long-term trajectory points to a modest upward movement. Notably, the significant drops observed in 2020 and 2021 were primarily influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in decreased passenger kilometers. However, by 2022, there was a robust rebound with a year-on-year increase of 48.06%, and the upward trend continued in 2023 with an 8.47% rise, reaching 11.19 billion passenger kilometers.
Looking ahead, the forecast predicts a gradual yet consistent growth in railway passenger kilometers, indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 1.14% over the next five years, leading to an estimated 12.03 billion passenger kilometers by 2028. This represents a forecasted total growth rate of 5.84% over the period.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Impact of economic recovery on railway usage.
- Technological advancements in railway transportation enhancing passenger experience.
- Government policies and investments in public infrastructure that could elevate ridership.
- Changes in commuting patterns due to long-term effects of the pandemic on remote working practices.
