Brussels Metro
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The Brussels Metro (French: Métro de Bruxelles, Dutch: Brusselse metro) is a rapid transit system serving a large part of the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium. It consists of four conventional metro lines and three premetro lines. The metro-grade lines are M1, M2, M5, and M6[1] with some shared sections, covering a total of 39.9 kilometres (24.8 mi),[1] with 59 metro-only stations. The premetro network consists of three tram lines (T3, T4, and T7) that partly travel over underground sections that were intended to be eventually converted into metro lines.[5] Underground stations in the premetro network use the same design as metro stations. A few short underground tramway sections exist, so there is a total of 52.0 kilometres (32.3 mi) of underground metro and tram network.[1] There are a total of 69 metro and premetro stations as of 2011.[1]
Most of the common section of the first two metro lines (between
On 22 March 2016,
History
Early history
The
Opening and extensions
On 20 September 1976, the first metro line opened.[9] One branch went from De Brouckère to Beaulieu (in Auderghem), and the other one linked De Brouckère with Tomberg (in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert). The same year, the North–South Axis (premetro) was opened between Gare du Nord/Noordstation (Brussels-North Station) and Lemonnier. In 1977, two new stations were built; Sainte-Catherine/Sint-Katelijne, which replaced De Brouckère as the last western stop in the City of Brussels, and Demey, which replaced Beaulieu as the last stop of the southern branch.
The next extension was the opening of stations in
This line was extended to
In 1998,
The Brussels Metro system is complemented by an
22 March 2016 bombings in Maelbeek
On 22 March 2016, the
Network map
Lines and stations
The
Metro
There are four conventional metro lines and, as of 2008[update], 59 stations (not including premetro stations). Most stations are underground, although some on lines 5 and 6 are at ground level. On 4 April 2009, the connection at Gare de l'Ouest/Weststation that enables line 2 to form a circular line was put into service. As a consequence, the metro network was significantly reorganised. The development plan for this change and related tram and bus network changes was approved by the Brussels-Capital Region in July 2005.
As of 4 April 2009, the four lines are as follows:
- Stockel/Stokkelat the east end (formerly part of line 1B);
- Simonis via the eastern side of the Small Ring(an extension of former line 2 from Delacroix north-bound to Simonis);
- Erasme/Erasmus to the south-west to Herrmann-Debrouxto the south-east (combines parts of former lines 1A and 1B);
- Line 6 from Roi Baudouin/Koning Boudewijn to the north-west to Simonis (including the loop of the newly extended line 2; combines the former line 2, the new connection, and a branch of the former line 1A).
Line 1 (M) | Line 2 (M) | Line 5 (M) | Line 6 (M) |
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Premetro
Line 3 and Line 4 are tram lines using the North–South Axis tunnel which crosses the city centre from Brussels-North via Brussels-South to Albert. Line 3 runs from Churchill in the south to Esplanade in the north. Line 4 runs from Brussels-North to Stalle Parking in the south. This North–South Axis is being upgraded to metro service; works have begun in 2019, including north-eastward prolongation of the metro tunnel, and the transition to conventional metro is foreseen for 2024.
Line 3 (T) | Line 4 (T) | Line 7 (T) | Line 25 (T) |
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Ticketing
MoBIB is the STIB/MIVB electronic smart card, introduced in 2007, replacing the discontinued paper tickets. It uses contactless technology based on the Calypso system originally developed for Paris and is in some ways similar e.g. to the London's Oyster card. All metro stations, buses and trams have MoBIB readers.
There is a very wide range of ticket shares to meet different needs. The cost of travel with STIB/MIVB means of transport (metro, tram and bus) is calculated per hour. As long as the journey does not exceed one hour after the first validation of the ticket, it is possible, for example, to switch from a bus to a metro train within the STIB/MIVB network without paying a second time (i.e. a new validation is required but will not be charged). Each trip has a different cost depending on the type of support purchased. Passengers can purchase monthly passes, yearly passes, 1 and 10-trip tickets and daily and 3-day passes. These can be bought over the Internet, but require customers to have a smart card reader. GO vending machines accept coins, local and international chip and PIN credit and debit cards.
Moreover, a complimentary interticketing system means that a combined STIB/MIVB ticket holder can also use the train network operated by
Following a successful trial in 2019, and expedited by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now possible to pay for STIB/MIVB journeys using a contactless bank card.
Rolling stock
The Brussels Metro is served by 217 carriages of M1-M5 series, manufactured by La Brugeoise et Nivelles, ACEC, Bombardier Transportation, Alstom and CAF and delivered between 1976 and 1999, as well as 21 six-car trainsets of the new M6 series (also known as "Boa"), manufactured by CAF and delivered between 2007 and 2012. A new train type known as M7 series was commissioned on lines 1 and 5 in 2021 and will support full automation.
Future
A new metro line 3 is being created from Brussels-North through Schaerbeek towards Bordet. The plan was finally approved in 2013, aiming to start construction in 2018 and operation in 2022.[14] Eventually, this would be linked up with a new southbound line to Uccle (Héros/Helden), which will not be finished before 2025.[15] In 2021, the
See also
- Brusseline (typeface)
- Brussels Regional Express Network
- List of Brussels Metro stations
- List of metro systems
- Métro Léger de Charleroi
- Trams in Brussels
- Transport in Brussels
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Activity Report 2011 - Figures & statistics '11" (PDF). STIB/MIVB. p. 08. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
- ^ "ALGEMENE INDICATOREN" (PDF). STIB/MIVB. 30 May 2023. p. 1. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ a b "STIB - Historique de la STIB de 1970 à 1979" [STIB - History of STIB from 1970 to 1979] (in French). STIB. 2013. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
- ^ "Activity Report 2011 - Figures & statistics '11" (PDF). STIB/MIVB. p. 12. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
- ^ "Trams are coming back". New Scientist (by Ian Yearsley). 21 December 1972.
- ^ "STIB - La STIB de 1960 à 1969" [STIB - STIB from 1960 to 1969] (in French). STIB. 2013. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
- ^ "Activity Report 2011 - Figures & statistics '11" (PDF). STIB/MIVB. p. 02. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
- ^ "STIB - Key Figures". STIB. 2013. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
- ^ Harris, Richard (4 January 2023). "The tracks down the years: A short history of the Brussels Metro". The Brussels Times. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "10 striking examples of subway art in Brussels". The Word Magazine. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Erasme Metro Station at Structurae. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "Gen: op naar 10 jaar vertraging" (in Dutch). Brusselnieuws.be. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ Heath, Ryan (11 April 2016). "Security questions remain as Brussels metro re-opens". Politico. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
- ^ "Go ahead for northern metro extension". Flanders News.be. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
- ^ "Metro naar Ukkel tegen 2025" (in Dutch). Brusselnieuws.be. 25 July 2012. Archived from the original on 27 July 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ "Vergunning aangevraagd voor nieuw metrostation Grondwet". www.bruzz.be.
External links
- STIB-MIVB official website
- Official Metro map
- To-scale map at CityRailTransit
- Brussels Metro map at UrbanRail.net
- Photos: Métro de Bruxelles (in French)
- Proposed network : [1] (in Dutch) / [2] (in French)
- Web site with information on future "line 3" (in French and Dutch)