In a strategic move aimed at bolstering its operational capabilities, Infrabel, Belgium’s railway infrastructure manager, has secured a leasing agreement with Lineas, the country’s leading rail operator, to lease up to 20 locomotives for the next six years. This contract not only grants access to the locomotives but also entrusts Lineas with their maintenance, ensuring their availability for nationwide use as shunting trains, crucial for enhancing operational efficiency across Belgium’s rail network.
With its own fleet of 81 locomotives facing periodic unavailability due to maintenance, breakdowns, or the gradual integration of the European safety system ETCS, Infrabel identified the need for a monthly buffer capacity of 10 to 20 locomotives to manage fluctuating demands effectively. The leasing agreement with Lineas addresses this need, providing Infrabel with the flexibility to access locomotives promptly, even at short notice, thereby enabling uninterrupted service delivery.