A new connection, more trams and (electric) buses, and better passenger information: Brussels public transport operator STIB is making some changes to its network to meet the capital's changing mobility needs. Here's what is new from Monday 23 September.
European Mobility Week starts on Monday 16 September and runs for seven days, culminating in Car-free Sunday in the Belgian capital on 22 September. STIB, however, is waiting until the day after to launch its latest changes.
Tram Line 10
The new tram Line 10 will finally be launched, connecting Neder-Over-Heembeek in the north of the Capital Region with Brussels city centre and continuing to Churchill (in Uccle). It will provide a direct, fast and comfortable connection with high capacity for the residents of Neder-Over-Heembeek, the people who work there and the many pupils and students who go to school in the northern part of Brussels.
Tram 10 will also offer many connections with several bus lines (47, 53 and 56, among others), other tram lines (such as 4, 7, 18 and 51), all the metro (lines 1-5 and 2-6) and trains in both the North and Midi Station.
Additionally, tram Line 10 coming into operation is accompanied by a reorganisation of the tram and bus network in the north-east of Brussels.
Tram Line 35
Tram Line 3, which currently runs between Esplanade and Churchill, will merge with Line 10 between Heembeek and Churchill. The part of the route of Line 3 between Esplanade and Heembeek that is not taken over by the new line 10 will be provided by a new line, Tram 35, that connects Esplanade with Bienfaiteurs/Weldoeners.
This means a major improvement of the service on the major ring roads.
As the trams between the Dockx Bruxsel and Meiser stops are particularly crowded during the evening rush hour, the frequency of the tram on this route will double (from ten to 20 trams per hour) – a major increase in capacity on the Boulevard Lambermont, among other places.
Bus lines 47, 56 and 57
The arrival of the new tram line 10 will also have consequences for several bus lines. Buses 47 (Heembeek - Vilvorde Station) and 57 (North Station – Military Hospital) will be merged into the new Line 47.
This new line 47 will connect Heembeek to Vilvorde station and will take over the route of the current line 57 in Neder-Over-Heembeek, which serves the industrial estates and the canal zone.
The centre of Neder-Over-Heembeek will be served by the new line 10, which will also take over the section of line 57 between NOH and the North Station.
Credit: STIB
Direct connection between Tour & Taxis and the city centre
Another new feature on the network this autumn: bus line 46, which connects Moortebeek (Anderlecht) with WTC-Glibert in the Northern Quarter, will be extended to Pannenhuis from 23 September.
This will create a direct connection between Pannenhuis and Anderlecht, via the centre of Brussels, the Suzan Daniel Bridge and the new districts of Tour & Taxis and Tivoli (where many schools are located). This bus Line 46, together with Line 53, will be the first to put the new articulated electric buses into service.
Credit: STIB
A major support plan
As many changes will be coming into force at once, STIB is providing a comprehensive support plan to inform and support passengers before, during and after the launch of line 10.
STIB staff will be present on the network for several days, in vehicles on tram lines 3, 10 and 35 and bus lines 47 and 57, as well as at the various stops on these lines. They will answer questions from travellers and, if necessary, propose alternative routes adapted to their needs.
This presence on the ground will reinforce communication at stops, on the STIB website, in its newsletter, in the app, on social media, in spoken announcements and on screens in stations and vehicles. The adjustments will also be integrated into the STIB journey planner.
