Everyone should have a reasonable chance of finding a seat, especially people who cannot afford to pay the additional cost of a first-class ticket, including many elderly passengers.

Yet on many Belgian trains, particularly during busy hours, second class can be completely full while first class still has a large amount of unused space. Passengers are forced to stand in the entrance areas, around the doors and stairs, creating bottlenecks that make it difficult for people to get on and off the train.

Train+ may help reduce the number of passengers during peak hours, but it does not really solve this problem. It mainly shifts the demand to other trains and times. The question of how the available space is divided inside each train remains.

First class is meant to provide additional comfort for those who choose to pay for it. It should not become a situation where first class is effectively the only way to guarantee a seat.

We believe SNCB should reconsider how much space is reserved for first class and reduce it where the demand does not justify the current allocation. Some first-class areas could be converted to second class, particularly at times when second class is heavily overcrowded. This would allow more passengers to sit, reduce congestion around the entrances and make better use of the space available on each train.

It could also make public transport more attractive. If people know they have a better chance of finding a seat, they may be more likely to choose the train instead of the car. This would benefit not only passengers, but also the environment.

Please help us bring this issue to SNCB’s attention. Together, we can ask for a fairer and more efficient use of the space available on our trains!