Public transport fare rises among changes from 1 February

Certain fares will increase on public transport in Brussels, Wallonia and Flanders from 1 February, the country's four public transport operators have announced.

Belgian railway operator SNCB will increase its fares by an average of 2.14% for individual train tickets and 2.6% for season tickets.

The Train+ card, which offers discounts, will remain at the same price, and a fare reduction is planned for some season tickets over 120km.

In Wallonia, TEC fares will be indexed by 2.15%, while a simplified fare structure will also come into force.

The zone system will be replaced by a single fare on conventional lines and the ‘Next’ and ‘Horizon’ tickets will be merged into a single ‘Classic’ ticket, valid for 90 minutes on the entire network (excluding Express lines).

Brussels public transport operator Stib is increasing the price of a single ticket from €2.30 to €2.40. The price of a monthly pass will increase by €1, and an annual pass will cost €10 more.

Flemish public transport company De Lijn is indexing its prices by an average of 4.2%. Most season tickets, multi-trip tickets and group tickets will become more expensive, while most fares for occasional tickets, such as single tickets and day tickets, will remain unchanged.

The Buzzy Pazz for 18 to 24-year-olds will become cheaper, with the price falling by almost a quarter from €215 to €165 euros.

Other changes that come into force on 1 February include adjustments to drug reimbursements. Any patient wishing to receive reimbursement for an anti-diabetic drug such as Ozempic, Rybelsus, Trulicity, Victoza or Xultophy will have to obtain authorisation for reimbursement from a medical adviser.

Previously, a simple prescription from a doctor marked "diabetes treatment" and a check by the pharmacist in an online database were sufficient to obtain reimbursement for these medicines, which are normally reserved for the treatment of diabetes but are sometimes used as appetite suppressants.

Reimbursement for Mounjaro, another anti-diabetic drug, has already been subject to this authorisation from the health insurance fund since last July.

Another change from 1 February will see Belfius increase the price of its basic bank account from €1.35 to €1.65 per month, among other price changes confirmed by the bank and insurance company.