SNCB Transport Plan 2026-2029 Criticized for Favoring Leisure Travelers Over Commuters

On October 1, 2026, the public transport user association Navetteurs.be criticized the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB) over its newly approved 2026-2029 transport plan, reporting that the schedule changes favor leisure travelers over daily commuters, particularly in Wallonia.

Train+ Formula Targets Off-Peak Riders

The SNCB transport plan introduces the Train+ formula, replacing older ten-trip cards and offering cheaper fares during off-peak hours and weekends. According to rtl.be, this pricing shift aims to attract casual passengers who do not usually ride during quieter times. At that point, the company will transition to a private entity facing market competition and pursuing commercial profitability. Smith explained that because remote work trends established during the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to endure, the SNCB views the leisure market as its primary area for growth. Smith stated: L’opérateur anticipe la fin de son contrat de service public fin 2032, moment où il deviendra privé soumis à la concurrence et contraint de rechercher la rentabilité à tout prix. The association added that the new plan, introduced in September, fails to deliver substantial daily improvements for either work-and-school commuters or leisure travelers in Wallonia.

Mid-December Changes Cancel Specific Trains to Walcourt and Couvin

Beyond broader structural concerns, the transition brings specific cancellations for daily riders, namely the P7762 train from Walcourt at 6:24 to Charleroi-Central at 6:58 and the P8765 train from Charleroi-Central at 18:38 to Couvin at 19:44, starting in mid-December. Smith noted that the association was surprised by these cancellations, adding that requests to compensate for the lost routes by adding stops to A64 trains were rejected by the railway operator, which maintained that regular timetable paths could not be altered in that manner. Smith described the association as un petit peu interloqué by the reasons provided and the refusal to address the specific situation of those users, noting that apart from these specific train cuts, the transport plan otherwise presented positive aspects.

Railway Operator Rejects Criticism

The SNCB issued a response later in the evening, disputing the claims made by the passenger association. The company expressed surprise at the opposition, noting that the position contradicts discussions held with user representatives through the CCVF consultative committee. The railway operator emphasized that the plan continues to bolster commuter services along key corridors like Bruxelles-Charleroi and Bruxelles-Namur, alongside increased peak-hour capacity between Marbehan, Habay, and Luxembourg province.

December Schedule Implementation

The contested 2026-2029 transport plan is scheduled to take effect across the network in mid-December.