The turnover of interurban passenger rail transport in Belgium has experienced significant fluctuations over the past decade. Between 2014 and 2018, there was an overall decline, notably a drop from 4.8 billion euros in 2015 to 2.26 billion euros in 2018. The period from 2019 to 2023 showed a more stabilized trend, with slight variations; the turnover in 2023 stood at 2.99 billion euros, reflecting a modest year-on-year increase of 0.76%. Over the last five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) has been an average of -1.95%, indicating a mild decline in overall turnover.
Key factors driving this expected decline include changes in travel patterns, competition from other modes of transport, and economic influences. Future trends to watch for include the impact of technological advancements in rail services, policy changes focused on green transport initiatives, and shifts in passenger preferences post-pandemic. These elements could either mitigate or exacerbate the declining trend depending on their development and implementation.
