Warm weather and advice to holiday in your own country: the weekend of Our Lady Ascension promises to be busy on the coast. In order to avoid large crowds like last weekend, the NMBS will adjust its offer from today.
Maximum capacity
The 7 extra trains that would be put in to the coast this weekend have been canceled, as have a number of tourist trains. The number of travelers per station will also be limited. In Ostend there is a maximum of 10,000 travelers, in Blankenberge 6,000 and in Knokke 2,000. The stations of Zeebrugge (4,000) and De Panne (2,000) will also have a maximum number.
Moreover, the maximum capacity on the trains themselves is strictly monitored: due to the corona crisis, this is 80 percent. When this is reached, no one can board the train at the stations en route.
There are strict controls: more Securail security agents will be present on the trains to the coast this weekend and additional agents from the federal police will be present in the major stations.
Balance
The coastal mayors had asked for measures after a mass of people mobilized in their municipalities last weekend. In Blankenberge, on a crowded beach, there was also a fight between young people and the police.
Blankenberg’s mayor Daphné Dumery (N-VA) is relieved that an arrangement has been made. “I am happy that everyone is taking their responsibility. We have come up with a well thought-out plan that is ready in time for the coming weekend. We hope that people understand that coming to the coast in large numbers in times of corona is not a good plan. ”
People are also satisfied in Ostend. “We want to give as many people as possible a safe and pleasant day at the beach. We are satisfied with the efforts of the NMBS to help monitor this balance ”, says deputy mayor Kurt Claeys (Open Vld).
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