Belgium’s national rail operator SNCB/NMBS has finalised a 12-year framework contract with Spanish manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) to design and supply up to 210 new electric multiple units (EMUs) labelled ‘AM30’. The deal, announced 22 December after a protracted legal battle with rival bidder Alstom, is worth an estimated €1.7 billion for the first batch and could rise above €3 billion if all options are exercised.
The new trains will replace ageing Class AM75 and AM80 stock on inter-city and regional routes, boosting capacity by roughly 20 000 seats daily ahead of the 2028 EU-wide liberalisation of domestic passenger markets. Each articulated, low-floor unit will feature real-time occupancy data, USB charging at every seat and compliance with the latest TSIs for reduced boarding height – a key accessibility win for wheelchair users and parents with strollers.
Flemish Mobility Minister Lydia Peeters welcomed the signature, noting that CAF has committed to assemble car bodies in Bruges and source 45 % of components from Belgian suppliers, safeguarding up to 1 000 local jobs.
![SNCB signs €1.7 billion framework with CAF for 200-plus ‘AM30’ EMU fleet]()
If this rail modernisation tempts you to schedule a business trip or holiday in Belgium, VisaHQ can help ensure your travel plans stay on track. Our online platform (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) guides applicants through every step of the Belgian visa process, offers digital document uploads, and provides real-time status updates—so you can focus on catching the first of those new AM30 trains rather than queuing at consulates.
Labour unions nevertheless warn that tight delivery timelines – first sets are due to enter service in late 2027 – could strain maintenance depots unless additional technicians are trained.
For corporate travel programmes the fleet renewal promises faster acceleration and higher top speeds (160 km/h) on Brussels–Antwerp and Brussels–Liège corridors, potentially shaving five to eight minutes off typical journeys. Employers running commuter allowances may need to update mileage and carbon-reporting tools as the more efficient trains cut per-passenger emissions by an estimated 15 %.
SNCB says the contract includes digital-twin maintenance support and an option for ETCS Level 3 readiness, aligning with Belgium’s plan to migrate the core network to continuous automatic train control by 2030. Observers view the order as a strategic hedge to keep cross-border services competitive when the proposed Belgian-Dutch ‘Benelux Express’ open-access operator launches in 2029.
The new trains will replace ageing Class AM75 and AM80 stock on inter-city and regional routes, boosting capacity by roughly 20 000 seats daily ahead of the 2028 EU-wide liberalisation of domestic passenger markets. Each articulated, low-floor unit will feature real-time occupancy data, USB charging at every seat and compliance with the latest TSIs for reduced boarding height – a key accessibility win for wheelchair users and parents with strollers.
Flemish Mobility Minister Lydia Peeters welcomed the signature, noting that CAF has committed to assemble car bodies in Bruges and source 45 % of components from Belgian suppliers, safeguarding up to 1 000 local jobs.
If this rail modernisation tempts you to schedule a business trip or holiday in Belgium, VisaHQ can help ensure your travel plans stay on track. Our online platform (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) guides applicants through every step of the Belgian visa process, offers digital document uploads, and provides real-time status updates—so you can focus on catching the first of those new AM30 trains rather than queuing at consulates.
Labour unions nevertheless warn that tight delivery timelines – first sets are due to enter service in late 2027 – could strain maintenance depots unless additional technicians are trained.
For corporate travel programmes the fleet renewal promises faster acceleration and higher top speeds (160 km/h) on Brussels–Antwerp and Brussels–Liège corridors, potentially shaving five to eight minutes off typical journeys. Employers running commuter allowances may need to update mileage and carbon-reporting tools as the more efficient trains cut per-passenger emissions by an estimated 15 %.
SNCB says the contract includes digital-twin maintenance support and an option for ETCS Level 3 readiness, aligning with Belgium’s plan to migrate the core network to continuous automatic train control by 2030. Observers view the order as a strategic hedge to keep cross-border services competitive when the proposed Belgian-Dutch ‘Benelux Express’ open-access operator launches in 2029.
