Belgian rail: Fewer rush-hour trains this summer, tourism services boosted

SNCB has reduced the number of P trains running during rush hour on weekdays in favour of tourist and leisure destinations until 29 August, reports RTBF.

Some train passengers at the beginning of July were surprised to discover that their commuter trains were cancelled.

The national rail network pointed out that the commuter service was "reduced" rather than suspended. Some suburban S trains operating around major cities are also running less frequently.

SNCB spokesperson Vincent Bayer justified the reduction by the drop in home-to-school and home-to-work journeys during the school holidays..

While it is not the first time the timetable has been adapted, services are adjusted after year-to-year evaluations, he added.

Train services to places such as the Belgian coast, though, have been boosted. Last year, SNCB trains transported nearly 13 million passengers during the summer period. Its objective this year is to encourage even more train travel for tourism and leisure purposes, including summer festivals and attractions.

Photo: Belga