SNCB Ends On-Board Ticket Sales to Strengthen Safety and Fight Fraud
From July 1, Belgian national operator SNCB will no longer sell tickets on board its trains. The move aims to strengthen the fight against fraud, protect staff, and simplify the rules: passengers must now have a valid ticket before boarding.
On-board ticket sales have long been a source of conflict and aggression. In 2025, SNCB staff reported 2,602 assaults — an increase from 2,103 in 2024 — with more than 40% involving physical violence. Ending on-board sales will allow conductors to focus on their core duties: ensuring safety, informing passengers, and conducting checks.
The decision affects all domestic trains and most cross-border services. It follows a trend across Europe, where on-board ticket purchases are increasingly rare. SNCB has also boosted ticket inspections by 50% in 2025 through enhanced training, mobile control teams, and collaboration with security services and local police. Passengers without a valid ticket can pay €90 to regularise the situation or face fines up to €500 for repeat offences.
Digital and self-service options already account for over 90% of ticket sales, with on-board purchases representing less than 1.5%. SNCB plans communication campaigns until the end of June to raise awareness and assist passengers with the transition.
By removing on-board sales, SNCB hopes to create safer, more orderly journeys while reducing fraud and aligning with modern European practice.
