Train conductor assaulted at Brussels station

A train conductor was assaulted by a group of youngsters at Brussels’ Schaerbeek station after one of the group was unable to present a valid ticket, reports Flanders News. The victim was taken to hospital and was declared unfit to work for at least a couple of days. The youngsters had got on the train shortly before the incident, at Vilvoorde. Unable to present a valid ticket, they attacked the inspector. “We are talking about a serious case of assault following a discussion about a transport ticket,” said Frieke Neyrinck of the Belgian rail operator SNCB. “The man was taken to hospital and will launch an official complaint.” The train was stopped and passengers had to switch to another train. Police will examine CCTV footage to investigate the case. Seven in 10 cases of aggression on Belgian trains are linked to fare-dodging; last year, SNCB reported 1,363 cases – almost four a day. Trades unions are demanding measures to tackle the problem as well as more staff on trains.