SNCB, the national rail operator in Belgium, has reported a 7 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger journeys in 2023, as rail becomes an increasingly attractive alternative to car or air travel.
The rail operator transported more than 244 million passengers in 2023, reaching 96 per cent of 2019 levels on weekdays – up from 90 per cent in 2022.
However, the trend towards remote and hybrid work continues to impact train usage for commuting purposes, with 89 million travellers using the operator’s home-work subscription, which is less than the number recorded in 2029, according to the rail operator.
SNCB also reported 10 per cent fewer passengers during the morning and evening peak hours compared to pre-pandemic levels, but 10 per cent more travellers during off-peak hours.
The rail operator recently began the first phase of an ambitious expansion plan that aims to increase annual services to 89.5 million train-kilometres by 2026 (a 7.4 per cent increase on current service levels) and grow passenger numbers by 30 per cent by 2032.