The recent incidents show disruption in several forms rather than one single pattern. On 29 July, about 240 passengers had to leave a train near Wetteren after an engine failure; the air conditioning also stopped working. VRT NWS reported that passengers ultimately left via the railway embankment.
Other interruptions were route-specific. La Libre reported on 29 July that trains between Antwerp and the Netherlands had stopped, without an immediate reason being specified. VRT NWS reported on 29 August that services between Zeebrugge and Knokke were temporarily suspended after an incident involving a person in the port of Zeebrugge. These examples show why the effect on a journey can range from a late train to a complete suspension of a section.
The events covered during this period point to several distinct causes: rolling-stock failure, incidents involving people, infrastructure works and industrial action. The Wetteren disruption followed an engine failure, while the Zeebrugge–Knokke interruption followed an incident in the port area, according to VRT NWS.
Engineering works can affect several lines at once. VRT NWS reported that works planned for 19 and 20 September covered lines in Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant and the Brussels-Capital Region. GeBOV criticised the timing because the works coincided with Car-Free Sunday. La Libre’s 28 August editorial also referred to strikes returning after the summer break, although it did not specify the sectors, dates or demands.
A disrupted journey and a compensation payment are separate issues. The recent accounts describe an engine failure near Wetteren, an interruption between Antwerp and the Netherlands, and a temporary suspension near Knokke, but they do not attach a payment decision or amount to those incidents.
The practical distinction is important: a passenger may experience a delay, a cancellation or a forced change of train, while any financial remedy depends on the applicable SNCB conditions and the circumstances of the journey. The new transport plan concerns future service levels, not compensation: La Libre reported that it will add nearly 600 trains per week in three phases between December 2026 and December 2028.
Strikes were flagged as a returning source of transport disruption after the summer. La Libre wrote on 28 August that strikes were resuming, but the account did not identify the affected railway services, dates or demands. That means the operational impact can vary from one action to another.
Engineering works were more specifically identified. VRT NWS reported that works on 19 and 20 September affected several lines in Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant and Brussels. The timing drew criticism from GeBOV because Car-Free Sunday was intended to encourage public transport use. In Ghent, phased works for the redevelopment of the busiest tram line were scheduled to continue until 2029, according to VRT NWS.
The incidents in this period do not establish a single worst-performing Belgian line or station. They do identify several locations where passengers faced disruption: Wetteren, the Antwerp–Netherlands connection, the Zeebrugge–Knokke coastal link and Brussels routes affected by works.
The Brussels–Brabant works were spread across several lines rather than concentrated at one station. Separately, the Brussels Bourse pre-metro station remained closed after an assault on 30 July, while tram services 4 and 10 resumed and did not stop there, according to 7sur7. That was a local operational closure, not evidence of a general SNCB punctuality trend.
Check the journey immediately before departure, especially when your route passes through an area affected by works or has recently experienced an incident. The recent examples show that conditions can change by route: Antwerp–Netherlands services were interrupted, Zeebrugge–Knokke trains were temporarily suspended, and passengers near Wetteren had to leave a failed train.
Also check whether a planned timetable change applies. HLN reported that SNCB’s new timetable will begin on Sunday 13 December, with additional early and late trains in several parts of Belgium. La Libre said the wider transport plan would add nearly 600 trains per week through three phases ending in December 2028.
VRT NWS reported that a train stopped just before Wetteren station on 29 July because of an engine failure. About 240 passengers had to leave the train. The air conditioning had also stopped working, making conditions uncomfortable, and passengers ultimately exited via the railway embankment.
Service on the Antwerp–Netherlands connection was interrupted on 29 July, according to La Libre. The interruption began at about 4pm, and the reason was not immediately specified in that account. Travellers using the route should therefore check the current service status before setting out.
VRT NWS reported a temporary suspension of train services between Zeebrugge and Knokke on 29 August. The disruption followed an incident involving a person in the port of Zeebrugge. The report described the interruption as temporary and linked it to that incident.
Yes. HLN reported that SNCB’s new timetable, due to take effect on 13 December, will introduce additional early and late trains in several parts of Belgium. La Libre said the broader transport plan would add nearly 600 trains per week, rolled out in three phases between December 2026 and December 2028.
Strikes were described by La Libre on 28 August as returning after the summer break. The account did not identify the railway services concerned or give dates and demands. Their practical effect therefore depends on the specific action announced, rather than on the general reference to strikes returning.
VRT NWS reported that works on 19 and 20 September affected several lines in Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant and the Brussels-Capital Region. GeBOV criticised the timing because the works coincided with Car-Free Sunday, an event intended to encourage public transport use.
Compiled by the shortnews.be desk from our own reporting between 2026-07-29 and 2026-09-18, drawing on coverage by HLN, La Libre, VRT NWS, 7sur7, VRT NWS English. Last checked 18 September 2026.