The Luxembourg government is on track to invest €3.8 billion into a decade-long programme to improve the country's railways.

CFL, the Luxembourg national railway company 94% owned by the state, and Transport Minister François Bausch set out details of the programme, which is already underway, to the company's employees on Monday afternoon.

The 10-year rail investment programme, which began when the current government took office in 2013, comprises hundreds of projects, including 15 main investments run with the Transport Ministry.

The €3.8 billion investment is almost treble the amount invested between 2003 and 2013 under the previous conservative government.

However, given the long-term planning involved in infrastructure projects, it is unclear how many of the projects were already in the works before the current coalition took office.

Rail travel is an increasingly popular form of transport in Luxembourg, with the number of passengers surging over the last decade.

Between 2005 and 2016, passenger numbers rose from 14 million to 22.5 million.

Of the 15 projects detailed, the most eye-catching include €292 million for a new railway line between Luxembourg and Bettembourg and a €400 million investment into new trains and trams.

The 15 projects include:

A €33 million investment for a European train security system to control the speeds at which trains can travel. This will be in place on trains by the end of 2017.

A €51.1 million investment for a global system for mobile communications, which will transmit voice and data, replacing analogue systems and radios by August 2018. Eighty-three concrete pylons are being erected as a result.

Removing railway crossings. Over the next four years, 10 of the remaining 122 crossings will be removed.

More than €290 million for the new Luxembourg-to-Bettembourg line, which will be 7km long and include two tracks, to be completed by 2024.

Nearly €250 million for the construction of a second viaduct at Pulvermühle, which is expected to be operational by 2019.

An investment of €215 million to double the tracks between Luxembourg and Sandweiler-Contern by 2019.

An investment of €145 million for extension works at Luxembourg station to increase capacity, including installing a fifth and sixth platform.

More than €96 million to build a Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg exchange centre, which will link the railway line from Luxembourg to Troisvierges and the Kirchberg plateau by December 2017.

Nearly €43 million to create an exchange centre in Howald, with phase 1 to be completed by December this year and phase 2 by 2024.

Nearly €100 million for an exchange centre at Ettelbrück to be completed between 2022 and 2023. It will include two new platforms and a Park & Ride.

Nearly €145 million for a modernisation programme at stations, which will expand Park & Rides and improve station facilities for passengers at Ettelbrück, Mersch, Wasserbillig, Rodange, Bascharage-Sanem and Troisvierges.

An investment of €400 million for investment in railway vehicles, such as trams or locomotives, which will be in operation between the end of 2021 and the end of 2024.

A new timetable by December 2017 to improve punctuality and enhance service for passengers.

A €25 million investment for a programme to improve customer information, including real-time updates and free wi-fi at stations.

A carsharing programme in place by December this year.

(By Hannah Brenton, hannah.brenton@wort.lu, +352 4993 728)