On-board train ticket sales to end in bid to tackle fraud
Passengers will no longer be able to buy a ticket on board a train from the summer, railway company SNCB/NMBS has announced. The measure is intended to combat fraud.
Since 2015, an on-board fare has applied to anyone buying a ticket on the train. This means passengers without a ticket have the chance to buy one during an inspection, with an additional charge of 9 euros.
From 1 July, anyone travelling without a ticket will be immediately in breach of the rules and will have to pay 90 euros within 14 days. If the payment is not made within that time, an administrative fine of 250 euros will follow. This rises to 500 euros for repeat offences, and the conductor may call in the security service to deal with passengers who cannot produce proof of identity.
According to SNCB, the abolition of the on-board fare will reduce fare evasion.
“Disputes over not having a valid ticket are the main cause of aggression against staff,” the company says. “In 2025, no fewer than 2,602 cases of aggression against staff were recorded, or an average of seven per day. Unfortunately, this figure has risen compared to 2024, when 2,103 cases of aggression were recorded.”
Currently, 7 per cent of passengers are unable to produce a valid ticket during an inspection. On-board sales accounted for less than 1.5 per cent of total sales last year.
"Disputes over not having a valid ticket are the main cause of aggression against staff"
SNCB is also introducing additional checks, including mobile teams dedicated to ticket inspections. The number of checks rose by half last year compared to 2024, the company says.
Installing ticket gates at stations is also under consideration. Mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke of Les Engagés is in favour of the measure.
© PHOTO ARTERRA
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