Unia and Test-Achats consider legal action over SNCB ticket price differences

Consumer protection organisation Test-Achats and the interfederal centre for equal opportunities Unia have joined forces to “issue an ultimatum to SNCB to adapt its fares policy”.

Unia and Test-Achats said they were considering a joint legal action against the Belgian railway company because of price differences between tickets bought digitally and those sold via ticket offices or vending machines.

They cite as an example the 10-journey ticket, which is offered at a price of €3 less on the SNCB app than at the ticket office. The difference is €2 between the app and the ticket office for 10-journey tickets for under-26s.

The organisations say they are also surprised to see a Flex type pass (for two to three journeys per week on the same line) offered only via the rail company's app.

“Passengers who do not have a smartphone therefore do not have access to this advantageous ticket,” they say, also noting that ticket offices have been open for fewer hours to the public since 1 March, forcing visitors to buy tickets online.

SNCB has already indicated that it considers this pricing policy to be authorised by its management contract, adding that a minimal number of tickets and fares are affected by these digital exclusivities.

The rail company argues that digital products reduce the risk of fraud. But Test-Achats and Unia said they were opposed to this “excessive digitalisation” and are calling on SNCB to stop offering cheaper fares online and exclusively digital products.

“Otherwise, Test-Achats and Unia will take the matter to court,” the organisations warn.