The ongoing heat wave continues to cause problems for NMBS/SNCB: through Friday, the Belgian public railway company will cancel 100 trains daily.

According to NMBS/SNCB, the measure is necessary to ensure the well-being and safety of both passengers and staff. Despite recent modernization efforts, many older trains lack air conditioning and are also more prone to breakdowns.

Because the railway company expects heavy traffic heading toward the coast, it will be running eight additional coastal trains every day through Friday: four round trips to and from Ostend and Blankenberge.

Sprinters removed from the schedule

To prevent any problems with the older models among the 3,800 trains that NMBS/SNCB normally operates on weekdays, some trips are now being temporarily canceled.

For example, 200 Sprinter trains without air conditioning, which are generally used on local and suburban routes, are being removed from the schedule. Since six out of ten of those trains are being replaced by air-conditioned Desiro trains, some Desiro trains are also being temporarily shortened.

In addition, 25 P-trains are being canceled, on top of the 15 P-trains that were already not running on Monday and Tuesday. Two S-connections between Geraardsbergen and Mechelen are also being reduced to one train per hour.

Water fountains at about 100 stations

The NMBS/SNCB emphasizes that alternatives will remain available to passengers despite these changes and advises passengers to check their route in advance using the trip planner in the app or on the website; the planner also displays the number of cars and the expected crowding for each train.

In addition, NMBS/SNCB reiterates its advice to avoid rush hour whenever possible and reminds passengers that they can refill their water bottles at water fountains at about 100 stations. Groups with reservations that are affected by the changes will be contacted personally by the company.

Stricter ticket inspections on platforms

Starting July 1, NMBS/SNCB will also be conducting stricter ticket inspections on platforms. The measure is part of the effort to combat fare evasion. According to NMBS/SNCB, fraud costs the company up to 80 million euros per year. Even if you’re on the platform, you must have a valid ticket before you board the train.

At some train stations, ticket machines are located on the platforms. Ticket inspectors will take this into account. “But the idea is that you buy a ticket right there on the platform, just as you’re supposed to go straight to a parking meter when paying for parking,” says the NMBS/SNCB.

No more on-board ticket sales as of July

The stricter inspections coincide with the end of on-board ticket sales, a service that will be discontinued as of July 1. The elimination of this service – currently, only 1% of tickets are still purchased from the conductor – is part of a broader effort to combat fraud.

Since 2025, NMBS/SNCB has already increased inspections by half. There are also mobile inspection teams dedicated solely to checking tickets. Approximately 7% of passengers are unable to present a valid ticket during an inspection.

Anyone found in violation must pay €90 within two weeks. Otherwise, a fine of up to €500 will be imposed. Passengers who were unable to purchase a ticket due to a malfunctioning ticket machine are not required to pay the €90 upon inspection but are given two weeks to purchase the ticket at the regular price.

Confrontations with fare evaders are the main cause of aggression toward train staff. Last year, the railway company recorded 2,600 reports of aggression against its employees, averaging 7 incidents per day.