The number of cancelled Belgian trains has peaked in the first half of this year at a total of 21,856, writes Belgian newspaper L’Écho on 30 July. Using data from Infrabel, the rail infrastructure operator, it can be concluded that the increase in cancellations is due to failings at rail operator SNCB, notably massive staff shortages.
In the first six months of the year, more than 8.200 trains were completely cancelled, while around 13,000 suffered cancellations for only part of the journey. The level of cancellations this year is the highest in five years.
Data also suggests that, if nothing is done to improve the service of the Belgian railway in the coming six months, then the balance sheet of the SNCB will reflect that.
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Last year, SNCB suffered operating losses of €401.9 million, with the government propping up the company with €303.8 million in federal support. This year, SNCB is set to receive an additional €64.6 million to attempt to reduce cancellations and offset rapidly rising costs.
Punctuality has also suffered in recent months. Trains across the Belgian network are running much less punctually than before. In the first half of 2022, the punctuality of Bleigna trains declined to 90.5%, the lowest results in three years.
