SNCB receives performance-related bonus

Belgian rail operator SNCB has been handed an extra €417,000 in funding for achieving some - but not all - of its targets in 2024, it has announced.

These additional funds will be invested entirely in projects aimed at improving wellbeing at work.

An annual assessment of the SNCB's performance, published in a report by Belgium's federal mobility, found the rail operator had surpassed itself in three of the 12 objectives set out in the public service contract concluded with the State.

In 2024, the SNCB performed better than the targets set out in this public service contract in terms of passenger information in the event of rail traffic disruption, the energy consumption of electric traction units, and CO₂ emissions.

Seven indicators were on target, falling witthin the lower and upper thresholds defined in the contract.

These include, for example, punctuality (89.7% in 2024 compared to 87.5% in 2023), an increase in the number of independently accessible stations (13 additional stations in 2024, bringing the total to 116) and more parking spaces for bicycles and cars (almost 128,000 spots for cars and 75,700 spaces for bicycles).

Passenger satisfaction remained stable last year, with a score of 7.16 out of 10, the SNCB said.

Two other indicators however - rolling stock unavailability and total passenger kilometres travelled - remained below the agreed minimum threshold.

“In accordance with the contract, the SNCB will implement remedial plans for these performance indicators,” the rail operator said.