SNCB starts rollout of silent compartments on main lines

Following a successful pilot project, SNCB will install silent compartments on Belgium's main IC trains in the coming weeks and months, the railway company said in a press release.

These silent compartments are intended to provide a place for passengers who want to rest or concentrate. Travellers are urged not to talk loudly to each other, and are expected not to talk on the phone, limit the volume of headphones or earphones and put phones on silent.

SNCB has been testing silent compartments on trains since last year. The first quiet zones were set up in trains connecting Brussels to Luxembourg and Eupen to Ostend.

The pilot project was a success. “Nine out of 10 passengers who took seats in the silent compartment said they were satisfied with the concept. More than half said they would take the train more often as a result,” said SNCB.

The company will now roll out these silent zones on the main IC connections between major cities. The zones will always be on the ground floor of double-decker trains and can be recognised by stickers and pictograms inside and outside the carriage.

^{A train guard boarding a train at Brussels Central station © BELGA PHOTO SISKA GREMMELPREZ}