SNCB seeks 10,000 volunteers to test geolocation ticket system

Belgian rail operator SNCB has launched a call to find 10,000 travellers who would agree to test a new ticket purchasing system based on geolocation. The test will begin in August and will be spread over several months.

In concrete terms, this new system allows the commuter to check in using an app when they arrive at the station and to report their arrival at their destination. Thanks to the GPS data of their smartphone, the user then automatically receives the amount to be paid via the application, depending on the journey made and their profile.

This new technology, developed by a Swiss company, has several advantages, according to the SNCB. It improves the comfort of use, because the passenger no longer needs to buy a ticket in advance. In addition, it does not require any infrastructure since it is based on the GPS functionality available in all smartphones. The total automation of the process also allows for smoother travel.

A first conclusive test took place during 2020. Carried out with the help of 440 SNCB employees, it was used to verify the proper functioning of the technology but did not allow the purchase of tickets. The second phase of testing will therefore integrate the ticket office and will be conducted from August, first with 500 people, before expanding to 10,000 testers.

SNCB states that the application complies with the rules on privacy and that, if this system is finally made available to the general public, this will not be to the detriment of traditional sales channels. Interested travellers can register through this link.

Meanwhile, Securail agents operating at the SNCB station at Gare du Midi in Brussels have complained about the rising incidents of verbal and physical aggression they face every day from passengers. It has been reported that 11 attacks in 10 days were carried out on Securail employees by members of the public, many annoyed by the continuing sanitary measures, with several agents ending up in hospital.

"When there is violence, the time it takes for us to react in order to detain the person or handcuff him, it is already too late,” said one Securail employee. “It goes too fast. We find ourselves on the ground with a lot of people jumping on us. As we are teams of two, the other colleague tries to call for help, and reinforcements, but in the meantime, we receive blows everywhere."

The agents are asking for more staff, self-defence training, as well as bodycams to ensure their safety.