The Belgian national railway company NMBS/SNCB is introducing new boarding zones on platforms to make boarding easier for passengers. The boarding zones have been launched at the stations in Halle, Brussels Airport-Zaventem, and Brussels Central. However, the plan is to expand the initiative to other stations soon.

Using the NMBS/SNCB app, passengers can also see in advance which zone their train will stop at, which should improve both train comfort and punctuality.

Signs with letters

The new system uses signs with letters on the platforms (A, B, C, D, etc.) that correspond to the information in the app. This information can be found under the “train composition” tab in the trip details, and it will soon also be displayed on the platform screens.

The measure is specifically aimed at people with reduced mobility, cyclists, and groups with reserved seats, allowing them to position themselves at the right spot on the platform in time, but it can also be useful, for example, for those traveling in first class.

Soon, in other major stations

NMBS/SNCB plans to roll out the concept to other major stations, including Leuven, Bruges, Antwerp Central, Ghent-Sint-Pieters, Namur, Charleroi Central, and the other main stations in Brussels.

In addition to the boarding zones, the app also includes several other new features. For example, users can now see the train’s direction of travel, just as with the car numbers. Furthermore, the display of transfer times and route changes during disruptions has been updated for greater clarity.

The initiative follows a pilot project at Brussels Central, where feedback from both commuters and leisure travelers was positive.

The TrainTramBus passenger association has also responded positively. “We are very pleased that this is finally happening, as we have been asking for it for years.” The association hopes that the system will be rolled out at all stations with more than 5,000 departing passengers per day.