The free railpass that was to be granted as part of the measures related to the coronavirus is once again postponed, this time until October 5, the office of the Federal Minister of Mobility, François Bellot said on Friday.
This measure decided at the time of the special powers is not unanimous. A first postponement to September had already been announced. The new postponement was requested, among others, by the mayors of the municipalities of the Coast, the governor of West Flanders and the SNCB. It is justified by health reasons and was decided on the sidelines of the National Security Council (CNS) on Thursday, said the minister’s office.
Postponement of this measure to a more favorable health moment
“Indeed, for obvious health security reasons and so that the SNCB can continue to transport its passengers in the safest possible way, including health, we asked for this measure to be postponed to a more favorable health moment.“, confirmed the railway company.
Those who wish to receive this free railpass (comprising 12 free journeys, twice a month over a period of 6 months) will however be able to obtain it by September 1st. The validity of the railpass will be extended to March 31.
The SNCB will communicate in the coming days the practical modalities to obtain this railpass.
Ecolo, defender of this measure, will question the Minister of Mobility, François Bellot, about this new postponement. “We understand that the implementation of the railpass adapts to the evolution of the pandemic and that the SNCB decides to postpone its implementation. “
We expect more clarity
“But we are waiting for more clarity from the Minister of Mobility on the reasons for such a long delay and on how citizens can obtain the railpass, otherwise the pressure is transferred to front-line staff. We will ask questions as soon as possible. possible François Bellot on this important measure in the perspective of life ‘with the virus’, in which the train will have an important role to play“, declared the group leader in the Chamber, Georges Gilkinet.
For his part, the governor of West Flanders, Carl Decaluwé, expressed his satisfaction after this postponement. “In September, it can still be very sunny. If we attract more people to the sea with this free pass, things can get tense again“, he underlined.
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