STIB and Brussels authorities opened the first electric bus line at midday on Friday. It will link Louise and Dansaert, near the pedestrian zone.
This line will have the number 33, in honour of Jacques Brel. It is one of the lines STIB has decided to make 100% electric to test battery life and several electric charging technologies. It wants to test them before the entire network becomes 100% electric.
STIB has invested 4 million euros in seven 42-seater Solaris electric buses, which are smaller than regular buses, and the equipment needed to run them. The new line will run through the narrow streets around the Pentagone.
Brussels Mobility Minister Pascal Smet was at the opening with STIB managers, Brussels mayor Philippe Close and Mobility Councillor Els Ampe. He said the line is "a huge first step towards a completely electric fleet by 2030".
The new 6km line has 13 stops. There will be a bus every 20 minutes from 10am to 7pm until July. After July, when the seven buses are delivered, it will run from 7.30 to 11.30pm.
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The Brussels Times
