Rising Fuel Prices Drive Belgians to Trains, SNCB Reports

Belgium’s national railway company SNCB has reported a significant surge in train ridership, directly attributing the increase to rising fuel prices that have pushed diesel above €2 per liter. Individual ticket sales rose 10% in March and April compared to the same period in 2025, with the trend continuing into May, according to RTBF.

Context: An Energy Crisis Grips Belgium

The ridership surge comes amid a broader energy crisis triggered by the military conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran that began in late February 2026. Brent crude surpassed $100 per barrel in March, pushing diesel prices above €2 per liter and petrol (95 RON E10) to approximately €1.856 per liter by late May. Approximately 50% of the price at the pump in Belgium consists of taxes, including €0.60 per liter in excise duties plus 21% VAT.

Key Developments: Record Ridership Growth

Commuter subscriptions have also seen substantial growth, rising 8% in March and more than 9% in April, driven particularly by flexible Flex-Abonnements that now represent over one-third of all commuter tickets. SNCB spokesperson Dimitri Temmerman confirmed the acceleration, telling The Brussels Times that “there was also growth in January and February, but not to that extent.”

A survey of leisure travelers conducted by SNCB found that one in two passengers explicitly links higher fuel prices to their increased use of the train. The finding underscores a conscious behavioral shift rather than passive ridership growth, as households seek cost-saving alternatives amid rising energy costs.

The Train+ Card Success Story

Since its launch in October 2025, the Train+ card has been adopted by over 1.2 million passengers. The card, which costs €4 per month or €32 per year for eligible groups, now accounts for 40% of occasional trips. According to L’Avenir, it has been particularly successful among seniors, youth, and those receiving increased social benefits.

The Train+ card is part of SNCB’s most significant fare restructuring in 30 years, which introduced per-kilometer pricing with a capped single fare of €20.90, automatic 40% discounts for seniors and youth, and combined discounts of up to 64% on standard fares. SNCB Director of Customer Services Marc Huybrechts emphasized at the time that “this is not a price hike,” as Belga News Agency reported.

The data represents a significant acceleration from the growth seen in January and February 2026, suggesting the fuel price surge — rather than the October 2025 tariff reform alone — is the primary driver. Before the crisis, SNCB was already on a recovery trajectory, carrying 245 million passengers in 2024, approaching the pre-COVID record of 253 million set in 2019.

This modal shift from car to rail carries potential environmental benefits through reduced CO₂ emissions, but also raises questions about rail capacity and service quality. SNCB’s punctuality stood at 89.7% in 2024, and the company will need to maintain service standards as demand grows.

Government Response to Economic Strain

The Arizona coalition government (MR, Vooruit, Les Engagés, CD&V, N-VA) has taken several measures to address the energy crisis, including €80 million in energy relief over three months and a temporary tax credit for home-to-work commuting validated in parliamentary commission on 19 May. The government has also debated activating the “cliquet inversé” (reverse ratchet) mechanism, which would reduce excise duties when fuel prices rise too high, as RTBF explained. Economist Philippe Defeyt of the Institute for Sustainable Development described it as “a not-too-costly measure” for public authorities, noting that it helps smooth price increases and slows inflation.

What’s Next

Several questions remain as Belgium navigates this energy-driven transport shift. Will the trend toward rail continue if fuel prices stabilize or decline? Can SNCB maintain service quality with increased demand? And will the government ultimately activate the “cliquet inversé” mechanism to provide relief at the pump?

For now, the data is clear: as fuel prices climb, Belgians are increasingly choosing the train. Whether this marks a permanent shift in commuting habits or a temporary response to economic pressure will depend on how long the energy crisis persists and what policy measures follow.