During the summer holidays, NMBS uses direct reservation trains to and from the coast, both during the week and during the weekend. The additional offer starts on Saturday 3 July 2021 and follows a successful test during a weekend in June. The trains – called the Coast Express – run directly to their final destination, without stopping in the intermediate stations. In addition to offering a guaranteed seat, they are therefore also faster at their final destination.

With the reservation trains, which supplement the usual offer, NMBS wants to respond to the demand of day trippers, including families, who want to plan their trip to the sea in advance and want to be sure of their place on a direct train.

During the summer weekends, there are 20 direct trains per day (10 outwards in the morning and 10 back in the evening). The trains depart in the morning from Liège-Guillemins, Brussels-South, Gent-Sint-Pieters and Antwerp-Central (4 stations from which a large number of travelers take the train towards the coast) and arrive in Ostend, Blankenberge, De Panne and knuckle.

On weekdays, four reservation trains (2 return and 2 return) run between Brussels-South and Ostend.

Successful test

The test during the weekend of June 5-6 was a success, both operationally and in terms of customer satisfaction. More than 1.000 travelers made a reservation. Customers were also satisfied, according to a survey of customers who had taken the reservation trains (90% gave a score of at least 7 out of 10, 87% were satisfied with the online booking process, 92% were satisfied with the experience in the station and 94% were satisfied with the experience on the train).

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NMBS is clearly responding to the needs of the customer with “De Kust Express”: the security of a seat, especially on busier routes during the summer, a faster travel time and the avoidance of trains with too many occupancy were clearly at the top of the list. the inquiry. With a reservation for a direct train, the traveler who is going to spend a day at the sea has a travel experience with maximum comfort.

“Almost one in three customers also indicate that they want to leave the car at the side and take the reservation train to the coast. This means that comfort and commercial speed attract additional customers, possibly new customers. This confirms the role of the train as a lever for smooth and sustainable mobility.”

Reservation for July from June 24, 2021

Travelers must book in advance via the NMBS website, at a rate of 1 euro, and have a valid ticket. Accompanied children under the age of 12 do not need a ticket, but must also make a reservation, also at a rate of 1 euro. To be able to take the Coastal Express, every traveler must have both a reservation ticket and a train ticket (or another valid ticket for that route).

Reservations can be made up to 15 minutes before the departure of the train.

All assistance procedures that are available for people with reduced mobility are also available for the Coastal Express.

The conditions for taking a bicycle on the train are the same for the Coastal Express. Folding bicycles can be taken along for free if they are stored under a seat. A Bicycle Supplement must be purchased for other bicycles.

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Reservations for direct trains that run in July can be made on the NMBS website from Thursday 24 June. You can book for trains in August from mid-July. With a reservation, travelers are sure of their seat on the train, although they remain free to choose where on the train they will sit.

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© NMBS - Travelers must book in advance via the NMBS website
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