The debts of SNCB and Infrabel (responsible for train operation and the Belgian railways respectively) are reaching 6.33 billion euros, according to a document that the SNCB has provided to trade unions, which L'Echo has had sight of. For the first time ever, infrastructure management debt has exceeded 3 billion euros.
In 2005 however, Infrabel had initially got its activities underway with an almost blank slate. However, management had to take on part of the SNCB and SNCB Holdings debt, following reform of the Belgian rail sector.
The situation clearly worries the unions, who are having to handle, on parallel tracks, efforts to improve staff productivity and also the reduced subsidy, as decided by the federal government.
(Source: Belga)
