Passengers have shown their satisfaction with the services provided by Brussels public transport company STIB, giving an overall score of 7.3/10 on the satisfaction barometer 2022. The metro remains the favourite form of public transport.
The annual STIB satisfaction barometer measures passenger satisfaction on criteria such as connections, speed, cleanliness, comfort, safety, etc. This year had the same score (7.3/10) as the two previous years.
"We are approaching the 7.4/10 target set in the public service contract by the end of 2023," said Brieuc de Meeûs, CEO of STIB, in a press release. "Improving the offer for travellers is a daily task but also a matter of anticipation. We must provide a quality service today, while at the same time thinking and developing the network of tomorrow."
Efforts are paying off
Transfers, safety, travel information and frequencies are all essential for travellers: "The entire STIB works every day for our travellers, and the results of the 2022 barometer show that all our efforts are paying off," de Meeûs stated.
Eight in ten (79%) passengers give the carrier a very good score of 7/10 or more for overall satisfaction; the speed, environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness of STIB services are emphasised by users. More and more say that they consciously choose STIB for their trips in the capital.
The metro remains the preferred mode of transport for travellers (7.3/10 satisfaction score), followed by the tram (7.2/10). The most spectacular progress has been seen in buses, which scored 6.9/10 – up from 6.3 five years ago.
"The little brother of public transport has grown up: the bus is catching up with the tram and metro in terms of passenger experience," said Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt. "I am very happy about that. It is the bus that ensures the fine mesh of our transport network, right into the heart of the Brussels districts."
Still, the company acknowledged several technical problems from the ongoing modernisation works complicating the situation for commuters. "The number of people trespassing and/or under the influence in Brussels has increased considerably – a phenomenon that has affected STIB stations."
To this end, the Brussels-Capital Region announced a pilot project at the Porte de Namur station to search for a solution for homeless people.
New trams and buses will add to the comfort of travellers, as well as the frequency of services. The tram network will also expand and the introduction of new M7 metro carriages will also provide more comfort underground.
