Among the differences: a reduction in the number of trains between Ghent and Brussels, slower peak- hour trains between Brussels and Leuven and a much-reduced service at weekends, with some trains travelling only once every two hours. TTB also criticised the spread of train times. "In the space of 21 minutes, three trains leave Ghent-Sint-Pieters for Brussels," said spokesman Kees Smilde. "Then there's a gap of 39 minutes. This is the way the NMBS creates its own capacity problems."

In other areas, there are no changes, which can also be a problem. "Anyone who wants to go from Ypres to Bruges has a 40-minute wait for a connection in Kortrijk," said Smilde. "And nothing is being done about it."

NMBS this week revealed there was a 50% reduction in overcrowded trains in the first eight months of the year compared with the same period in 2009, largely due to the introduction of more double-decker trains on problem routes. The problem of overcrowding caused by cancellations still exists, said NMBS boss Marc Descheemaecker, but the problem of structural overcrowding - the NMBS considers a train overcrowded if one passenger is unable to find a seat - were being dealt with.

Descheemaecker has admitted that train punctuality will only really improve in 2013, when major infrastructure works are completed.