20 Brussels rail stations 'hidden away', says SNCB boss

The SNCB is planning a "massive operation" to publicise its "little-known" suburban rail network in Brussels, the rail operator's new chief executive has announced.

Sophie Dutordoir said that of the 34 SNCB rail stations in the Brussels region, 20 were "hidden away". Commuters appear unaware that metro stations such as Mérode, Bockstael and Simonis have a railway station attached - or that other stops such as Tour & Taxis or Vivier d'Oie even exist.

"We have got to make the stations more visible," Dutordoir told an event organised by the Brussels branch of Flemish chamber of commerce Voka.

"We're going to carry out some massive operations. Working with the municipalities, we will look at how to make this service better known in schools and among commuters."

The S train network launched at the end of 2015 and is made up of 700 train services a day on 12 lines, serving 143 stations in Brussels and its periphery including Louvain-La-Neuve, Mechelen, Leuven, Aalst and Dendermonde. New stations were built at Germoir in Ixelles and at Tour & Taxis.

More S trains will run from December when a new 2017-2020 public transport plan comes into force.