Last year, the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB issued administrative fines totaling 32.5 million euros, almost 5 million more than in 2024. The increase comes almost exclusively from category 3 fines for fare-dodging, which account for almost all fines.
In 2024, NMBS/SNCB issued 89,000 fines (+16,654), amounting to 32.5 million euros. The most fines were issued by the most. The number rose from 72,348 fines in 2024 to 84,075 last year, amounting to 32.1 million euros, an increase of 4.4 million euros.
It is striking that the lion’s share of fines for fare evasion was issued in Wallonia, namely 44,806, compared to 28,065 in Flanders and 11,204 in Brussels.
Fines for violent behavior
Fines imposed by the railways fall into four categories: minor nuisance (first); vandalism, graffiti, and misuse of the emergency brake (second); fare evasion; and, finally, serious offenses such as violent behavior, intimidation of staff, and deliberate disruption of train traffic.
The number of fines in the latter category also rose, from 486 to 519, totaling 138,550 euros and 146,900 euros, respectively.
Member of Parliament Frank Troosters (Vlaams Belang), who requested the figures from Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés), states that “NMBS/SNCB staff are increasingly becoming the punching bag of a section of society.” He therefore believes that it is high time that train staff are finally given the opportunity and the means to defend themselves better.
The Federal Railway Police is armed and has a permanent presence in Belgium’s largest stations, patrolling stations and trains. However, this police force is struggling with staff shortages, so Securail is often the sole force on the scene.
Handcuffs and pepper spray
Securail’s security agents, currently numbering around 600, do not carry firearms, but they do carry equipment, such as handcuffs and pepper spray, which may be used under strict conditions.
Their powers include verifying identities, preparing reports, verifying people, and issuing valid tickets. The socialist trade union CGSP has called for better armament and more powers for Securail agents against violence involving stabbing weapons in stations.
Train conductors, on the other hand, are solely concerned with customer service and operational tasks. Arming them would mean a huge shift from their social role to a policing role, which trade unions often reject.
First responders often reject constant psychological screening, and the presence of weapons can actually escalate situations, such as a verbal argument about a ticket.
Tackling fraud is a priority for NMBS/SNCB. Discussions about the lack of a valid ticket are the main reason for the lack of aggression toward train staff.
