The Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB has dismissed a train driver for posting a live video on TikTok while driving a train. This was reported by the newspaper Le Soir, among others. Or how a well-intentioned “proportional initiative”, according to the train driver, turned into a personal nightmare.
According to the newspapers, the incident dates to September last year. The train driver, who had been working for NMBS/SNCB for six years and was based at the Mons depot.
He posted a live video of himself on his TikTok account while driving the Geraardsbergen/Grammont-Mons stop train. He also exchanged thoughts live with his followers, who could ask him questions that he answered from his cab.
Unnecessary risks
The images came to the attention of NMBS/SNCB, which was not amused by the driver’s initiative. According to NMBS/SNCB, he took unnecessary risks, endangered passenger safety, and failed to focus sufficiently on his job by broadcasting the video live.
Furthermore, NMBS/SNCB says that this action has damaged the company’s image, as passengers may feel a sense of “uncertainty” when viewing the images.
‘Promoting the profession’
The driver defended himself by saying that posting the live video promoted his profession and that he had interacted with internet users before the train departed. He said his phone was placed on a tripod so that he could focus entirely on driving. Only when the train was stationary did he hold his phone to film the tracks.
His argument fell on deaf ears at NMBS/SNCB: he was first suspended and then dismissed from his position at the end of 2024, which means he is not entitled to unemployment benefits.
The train driver appealed to the Council of State. Still, his request for suspension was repeatedly rejected, partly because NMBS/SNCB’s internal regulations are clear: they prohibit drivers from using their smartphones while on duty.
Another procedure is currently underway to have the disciplinary decision overturned. The Council of State will consider this in the coming months.
