Speed up the trains: Connecting Eindhoven to high-speed rail
As Brainport’s economy grows, so does the demand for better mobility. Yet, in terms of rail connectivity, the region remains isolated from Germany., argues Merien.
Published on February 9, 2025
Merien co-founded E52 in 2015 and envisioned AI in journalism, leading to Laio. He writes bold columns on hydrogen and mobility—often with a sharp edge.
Eindhoven, a rapidly growing economic powerhouse in the Netherlands, remains isolated from Germany's high-speed rail network. While the region’s economic growth calls for better connectivity, current rail links rely on slow, stop-and-go trains with multiple transfers, making travel to Germany inefficient. A direct, non-stop service could be possible by 2026, but delays and infrastructure hurdles are stalling progress. As the Brainport region seeks to strengthen its ties with neighboring Germany, faster, more efficient rail connections are crucial for tapping into its full economic potential.
The economic imperative
The Brainport Eindhoven region is the Netherlands' fastest-growing economic zone, with projections showing a remarkable 3.3% growth rate for 2025, nearly double the national average of 1.7%. Despite this economic vitality and its strategic location near Germany, one of the Netherlands' primary trading partners, the region suffers from inadequate international rail connectivity. The current situation presents a stark paradox: while Duisburg, a central German ICE hub, lies less than 100 kilometers from Eindhoven, the train journey takes over 2 hours with multiple transfers, compared to just 75 minutes by car. Flixbus is a better option for this journey than a train.
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Promised improvements and delays
In 2018, ambitious plans were announced for a direct hourly connection between Eindhoven and Düsseldorf, scheduled to begin in 2025. This service was projected to attract 250,000 additional passengers annually, representing a 40% increase in ridership. However, the timeline has now been pushed back to 2026. The revised service will extend the existing RE13 regional train route from Venlo to Eindhoven, though this represents a compromise from the envisioned initially high-speed connection. Meanwhile, extensive railway works in Germany throughout 2025 continue to affect cross-border services, with significant construction near Emmerich and Oberhausen.
The broader infrastructure context
Germany's rail infrastructure challenges are part of a larger systemic issue. The country's rail network spans 33,280 kilometers, with a core network of 3,500 kilometers handling about 25% of total traffic. Punctuality in this network is at an all-time low, with only 63% of international trains arriving within 6 minutes of their scheduled time. Deutsche Bahn has announced plans to address these issues, aiming for 75-80% punctuality in long-distance services by 2027. However, the scale of necessary improvements is massive, with DB implementing a comprehensive renovation program across its core network. While essential for long-term improvement, these infrastructure works continue to cause short-term disruptions to international connections.
Economic impact and prospects
The lack of efficient rail connectivity significantly constrains regional economic integration. Brainport Eindhoven's strong performance in knowledge-intensive sectors, particularly information and communication technology with projected growth of 4%, demands better international accessibility. The current situation forces business travelers and commuters to rely heavily on road transport or aviation for longer distances, contradicting sustainability goals and limiting economic integration potential. While improvements are planned, the slow pace of implementation risks hampering the region's economic development and international competitiveness.
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