More train capacity from 2017 - and a 3% fare rise

Belgian rail operator SNCB has approved a new plan to increase the number of trains and seats across its network from next year - accompanied by a 3% rise in fares in February.

The new timetable, from December 2017, will see a 5% increase in capacity compared with the current plan, which has been in place since the end of 2014.

A large part of the new plan involves improving suburban services around five cities: Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, Charleroi and Liège. "These cities suffer serious mobility problems," the rail operator said. "The SNCB wants to focus its efforts on these aras."

The main east-west line through Wallonia, from Tournai to Liège via Charleroi, will have faster journey times and more trains operating. Some popular weekend routes will have extra trains running on Saturdays.

The busy seaside line from Genk to Knokke and Blankberge via Brussels, which currently divides in two at Bruges, will instead be turned in two separate services: Genk to Blankenberg and Brussels Airport to Knokke.

The changes, which were approved by the SNCB board on Friday, aim to cut travel times on some of the most-used routes, make train connections easier and boost punctuality.

Timetables will start to be drawn up in January - and will come into force at the end of 2017, subject to approval from railtrack operator Infrabel.

Meanwhile, the SNCB has confirmed that fares will rise by an average of 2.9% from February next year.