Bjorn in Belgium

Spoorverandering

February 6, 2008

Since the train schedules were changed late last year – to the misery of nearly everyone but me – the 8:51 train to Leuven is scheduled to arrive at platform 17 of the South station of Brussels. Without fail it is redirected to platform 16.

“Spoor zeventien, spoor zeventien, spoorverandering. De CityRail met bestemming Leuven van acht uur een en vijftig komt aan spoor zestien in plaats van spoor zeventien” the announcement goes, signalling me to go to the platform. In French as well, for good measure. This is a luxury not afforded to everyone.

That’s not all. On the screens showing arrivals and departures, any platform changes are marked with a yellow box, requiring no more than a glance to find my train.

I never appreciated this, until now. The schedule has been updated to reflect these constant changes, and now the train arrives at platform 16 as planned.

No more yellow boxes. No more announcements. And the whole thing has somehow become a little bit less special.