Almost half (47%) of Belgians never use the train, according to a survey by the federal mobility service published on Thursday.
Only one in ten of the survey respondents use public transport, while just over eight in ten use a car weekly.
A third of Belgians take the train at least a few days per year, with 10% riding it at least once a week. Over a quarter of respondents use the metro, tram, or bus a few days per year, and 18% do so weekly.
Around one in five Belgians experiences minor or major issues when using public transport. This figure rises to 74% for those who need (temporary) assistance, such as wheelchair or crutches users. More women than men find it challenging to travel with children, groceries, or luggage.
Half of the respondents find travelling with young children (up to 3 years old) or pets difficult or very difficult. The most commonly reported obstacles include transport announcements (23%) and the steps when boarding or alighting from a vehicle (21%).
The only survey was carried out by research agency iVOX between 17 July and 1 August 2024. It included answers from a representative sample of 2,000 Belgians. The survey aimed to identify the difficulties people face when travelling, particularly via public transport.
