Electronic Gates at Belgian Train Stations to Combat Fare Evasion

In Belgium, the government and the National Railway Company (SNCB‑NMBS) have revisited the idea of installing electronic entry gates at major train stations to enhance security, regulate passenger flow, and prevent fare evasion.

According to official sources, a previous study on the project—which was postponed due to technical and structural reasons—is currently being updated. The authorities aim to reduce lost revenue from ticketless travel and improve safety within stations.

The proposal involves installing electronic entry gates at several key stations in Belgium, restricting platform access to passengers with valid tickets only.

This initiative follows successful examples in other European countries, where similar systems have significantly reduced fare evasion and improved security oversight.

However, the project faces several challenges, the most notable being the high cost of reorganizing infrastructure in multiple stations, especially those designed with open layouts that allow passengers to enter and exit from multiple points without inspection gates.

Discussions continue between the Belgian Ministry of Transport and SNCB to identify the stations where the project will be implemented on a pilot basis, before considering a potential expansion to other stations.

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