Latest developments

September 2011
On 23 September 2011, the Flemish Government approved the construction of an electric light rail between Hasselt and Maastricht. Read the press release in Dutch.

May 2010
Read the complete market potential study 'Grensoverschrijdend marktpotentieel sneltramverbinding Vlaanderen-Maastricht' or the short version 'Cross-border market potential study Lightrail Maastricht-Flanders' in English.

Project Overview

Under the framework of previous Interreg projects and the Belgian Spartacus plan, a light-rail connection between Hasselt and Maastricht is being developed. 

This investment will boost the connectivity between Maastricht University and Hasselt University, two important knowledge centres. The travel time will be halved from 71 to 36 minutes, thus strengthening existing cooperation.

The local students are extremely dependent on public transport. They will benefit in study, exchange and apprenticeship possibilities when this connection will be ready.

Planning

The length of the line is 38 km with 6 km on the Dutch side.

Minor infrastructure modifications have to take place on the Belgian side, which are not part of RoCK. Equipment and vehicles will be in place in 2012. Given the current safety regulations and light rail rolling stock, the new connection cannot be fully utilised in the Netherlands: The track is not yet equipped with a signaling system according to Dutch regulation.

By upgrading the cargo track between Lanaken and Maastricht with an interoperable European safety system, Flemish express tram vehicles will be able to access track in the Netherlands.

To allow for higher speeds, a signaling and safety system will have to be installed. It is more feasible to install the ETCS/ERMTS on Dutch tracks and make them interoperable for cargo as well as for the express tram.

Partners

Lead: City of Maastricht working closely together with De Lijn.

Other organisations closely involved are:

NS (Netherlands)
ProRail (Netherlands)

Contact

City of Maastricht

Project Manager
Henrik Fokke
henrik.fokke@maastricht.nl
+31 (0)6 2183 3062

Postbus 1992
6201 BZ
Maastricht