Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB is launching the ‘Flex Subscription’, a ticket formula for employees who no longer need to be in the office or on the work floor daily. The first flexible subscription is one for ten travel days a month.

“We want to use adapted products to make the train even more attractive for teleworkers,” NMBS/SNCB says. This should help achieve the targeted passenger growth of +30% over ten years.

Only available through the app

In 2021, NMBS/SNCB launched a pilot project with flexible season tickets, with 20 companies and institutions from the private and public sectors. From this, it was learned that most teleworkers travel to work an average of two to three days a week. The new subscription formula is, therefore, focused on that travel segment.

The flexible subscription, which can be linked to an NMBS/SNCB parking pass, will be available only through the app and can be combined with a TEC, MIVB/STIB, or De Lijn subscription.

In an initial phase, individuals can buy a ‘Flex 10’ subscription that will allow them to commute between two pre-specified stations ten days a month. On each travel day, the subscription must be activated. This produces a QR code that the train attendant can scan.

Monthly or annual subscription

From the end of April, companies and institutions can offer employees flexible session tickets for a month (6 or 10 days) or a year (80 or 120 days).

The price of the subscription depends on the distance between the two stations. For example, for a ‘Flex 10’ subscription between Ghent-Sint-Pieters and Brussels-Midi, you pay 141 euros. A standard monthly subscription costs 199 euros but allows unlimited travel on the chosen route.

You can compare prices with the NMBS/SNCB simulator at https://simulator.belgiantrain.be/nl/flexabo.