Brussels has highest number of rail trespassers

Never before were so many pedestrians caught walking on railway tracks in Belgium than in the first six months of 2016, announced federal mobility minister François Bellot, who therefore wishes to introduce a direct penalty for offenders. Brussels has the highest number of people caught walking on the tracks, with 59 official reports already this year.

Bellot's proposal would, from 2017, enable railway police and Securail, the security unit for Belgian trains and stations, to deliver an immediate fine to anyone caught trespassing on railway tracks.

Despite efforts by railway infrastructure manager Infrabel and national railway company SNCB to hold regular awareness campaigns about the dangers of walking on the tracks, the number of rail walkers continues to rise, with 370 people caught in the first half of 2016. “And that's just the tip of the iceberg,” says Infrabel spokesman Thomas Baeken. “I suspect that the true figures are dozens of times higher.”

Brussels leads the country when it comes to rail trespassing, with 59 official reports already this year, followed by Antwerp with 42 reports.

“Brussels scores high for several reasons,” Baeken explains. “A good number of the trespassers are commuters, who cross the tracks to gain time during the morning and evening rush hours, and a lot of people commute to Brussels by train. Moreover, the capital just has a lot of railway infrastructure.”

The second largest group of offenders are school children who play on the tracks, especially during holiday periods, says Baeken.