The Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB will continue to investigate whether access gates can be installed in stations to increase safety. A pilot project may be launched in several stations.
This is a striking reversal for NMBS/SNCB, as the idea had previously been rejected. The possibility of installing access gates in the country’s major train stations was raised in the coalition agreement, but was dismissed by NMBS/SNCB in September due to a “negative business case.”
Update of 2023 study coming soon
On Tuesday, Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) announced in the Chamber of Mobility Committee that access gates would be installed in five major stations on a trial basis.
However, a day later, his cabinet amended that message: “NMBS/SCNB is investigating the conditions necessary to set up a pilot project this year. Based on that analysis, a decision will be made on whether the project can go ahead.”
According to NMBS/SNCB spokesperson Britt Monten, the railway company is working on an update to a 2023 study on the subject. “We are not only looking at gates, but also at alternatives, such as ticket validators or additional security and anti-fraud measures.” By April, it wants to have clarity about the conditions for launching a possible pilot project.
One station with access gates
The renewed interest is striking, because previously the idea of installing ticket gates at large train stations had been dismissed because the costs would be much higher than the additional revenue from fewer cases of fraud. Last year, 40% more passengers were screened than the previous year.
In the past, NMBS/SNCB also pointed out that such gates are not included in the 10-year contract with the government and that no budget has been allocated for them. In addition, all tickets would also have to be digital.
On the Brussels metro network and in some train stations abroad, passengers must scan their ticket before they are allowed onto the platform. In Belgium, Brussels Airport station is the only one where such access gates are already in place.
TreinTramBus not in favor
The passenger organization TreinTramBus is opposed to installing gates on public transport. It said this in response to the NMBS/SNCB decision and the announcement by Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder (N-VA) that twelve Antwerp metro stations will be equipped with gates, representing an investment of 15 million euros.
“Due to a lack of funds and cost-cutting measures, we are forced to significantly reduce the range of public transport services,” says chairman Peter Meukens in Het Nieuwsblad. “But is there still plenty of money available for gates?”
The public transport unions are also opposed to the move. They fear that the gates will be less effective in combating nuisance caused by homeless people or drug users and will, therefore, not improve safety in stations.
