Public Transport in 2040
North Brabant is reaching the limits of what its mobility system can handle. Programmes and measures like SmartwayZ.NL and De Run help address road bottlenecks. However, much also needs to be done in public transport, both now and in the future. It is expected that Brabant will become busier on roads, trains, buses and cycle paths, with travellers covering longer distances.
The Brainport region is growing
Most companies and institutions in Southeast Brabant are located around Eindhoven, in the Brainport region. This area is growing rapidly, but public transport connections are not yet sufficient. The region attracts many highly skilled technical professionals from home and abroad. It is important to keep the business climate attractive. That is why, between now and 2040, around 50,000 homes will be built in Eindhoven and Helmond. These need to be well accessible. We are focusing on a mobility transition: fewer car journeys and more walking, cycling, public transport and smart mobility solutions.
Public transport must become the backbone of the Brainport mobility system. We connect economic hotspots, campuses and new neighbourhoods in a ‘green & smart’ way. It is crucial to integrate all modes of transport through the development of mobility hubs. An example of this is the international hub at Eindhoven.
Stronger connections in West and Central Brabant
In Breda, we aim to strengthen international connections. For West and Central Brabant, it is important to reduce travel times to other regions—not only within Brabant but also to Antwerp, the Drechtsteden area and Zeeland. A key challenge is improving the Breda-Tilburg connection. Both cities are growing and building many new homes. Here too, public transport and mobility hubs will play a greater role in accommodating this growth, helping to keep the cities accessible. Additionally, several major residential and employment areas and attractions lack a rail connection, such as Oosterhout, Waalwijk, Moerdijk, the Efteling and Beekse Bergen.
Improving accessibility in Northeast Brabant
In Northeast Brabant, Uden and Veghel do not have a station. These towns need better public transport connections. Improved links are needed with ’s-Hertogenbosch, Oss, Nijmegen and Eindhoven to strengthen the region. We are exploring a fast bus service allowed to use the hard shoulder during traffic jams: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Station ’s-Hertogenbosch serves as a national and regional transport hub, handling large daily passenger numbers that are set to increase beyond the station’s capacity. Therefore, the station must be redeveloped, and transfer options between car, bike and public transport improved. Oss and Tilburg are also planning new housing developments and are working on new mobility visions and improved station environments.