Additional trains and special services will be available for Belgians wishing to attend the Tour de France's Grand Départ, which will set off from downtown Brussels on the first weekend of July.
As the city prepares to host the start of the 106th edition of the cycling world's biggest event on July 6 and 7, the SCNB said that it would put forty additional trains in service for cycling fans wishing to come to the Belgian capital from other Belgian cities.
With the race set to depart from the Palais Royal on Saturday, the railway company recommends travellers to arrive into the nearby Gare Centrale.
Special shuttles will also be put in service for those wishing to see the cyclists cross the finish line in the Laeken royal domain. The free shuttles will run from 14:00 to 20:00 between Brussels Gare du Nord and Bockstael station.
With the Grand Départ weekend expected to close down several main roads in the city, the SNCB advises travellers to leave their cars at home and use the commuter trains that run between the city's stations.
Those leaving Brussels after the day's events and headed to cities like Antwerp, Liège or Leuven, among others, will be able to take the SNCB commuter train from Bockstael to Brussels Gare du Nord.
Those heading back to Charleroi, Ghent, Bergen or Tournai can commute to Gare du Midi instead.
In the image of other venues in the city, the station will be tinted yellow on the day of the Grand Départ, in reference to the symbolic colour of the leading racer's jersey.
Gabriela Galindo
The Brussels Times
