Reporting an incident without others noticing will soon be possible on all trains: the discreet alarm system that Belgian rail company NMBS is developing is due to be ready by the end of 2027 at the latest.
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Rail company to introduce new tech: passengers soon able to call for assistance discreetly
Colin Clapson
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The railway company is working on a new digital communication platform that will include a discreet reporting system. This will enable passengers to call for help discreetly. “We only want to introduce this once it is completely reliable,” explains NMBS spokesperson Dimitri Temmerman.
“In other words: when reports can be followed up quickly, accurately and consistently, and, if necessary, forwarded immediately to the emergency services in the field.”
Governing Flemish socialist Vooruit had previously tabled a motion in parliament calling for this. “A discreet reporting system will certainly be an interesting additional reporting option,” says Temmerman.
According to the NMBS spokesperson, the communication platform will be ready before the end of this year. “First, the existing reporting channels will be linked up including telephone calls via the freephone number 0800 30 230. Subsequently, by the end of 2027 at the latest, we will add a discreet reporting system.”
Following British example
In the UK, efforts have been made for some time now to tackle feelings of insecurity on public transport. The slogan ‘See it, say it, sorted’ encourages passengers to alert the transport police if they notice anything unusual.
In May, Vooruit parliamentary group leader Oskar Seuntjes referred to the VRT survey ‘De Foto van Vlaanderen’ (The Photo of Flanders). This revealed that 42 per cent of those surveyed said they felt unsafe near a station and 32 per cent felt unsafe on public transport. The Vooruit group chair was unhappy that the system, which had been announced for 2023, had still not been implemented!
Today, however, NMBS has finally provided clarity on the timing.