Brussels public transport operator STIB previously introduced a low price for annual passes for students and then again for all under 25s. Now, over 65s living in Brussels can also benefit from cheap travel around the capital.
From 1 July 2023, over 65s in Brussels will be able to enjoy an annual pass for €12, amounting to just €1 a month, as is already the case for students and young people under the age of 25. This marks a sharp drop in the cost for this age group, as the fare currently costs €60 annually to access the entire STIB network, including its buses, trams and metros.
"In Brussels, there is a real political will to keep fares as accessible as possible. That's why there are various preferential fares that are as low as possible or free for the most vulnerable target groups (children, young people, senior citizens, visually impaired people and free companions for disabled people, etc)," Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van de Brandt told The Brussels Times.
"We want to make sure that price is not a barrier to using public transport. This is also why STIB fares have not been indexed since 2014."
Brusseleirs only
The Brussels government previously reduced the price of the school season ticket for young people aged 12 to 24 from €50 to €12 per year in July 2021. Since 1 February 2022, all young people under 25 based in Brussels (including non-students) have enjoyed the same preferential fare. Both these changes resulted in a strong increase in season tickets among young people. This initiative has now been expanded to the older generation.
"Our senior citizens should be able to move around our region effortlessly at not too high a cost. Some seniors prefer not to travel by car anymore, others find certain distances too far to walk," Minister-President Rudi Vervoort said.
"With the reduction of the subscription fee from €60 to €12 per year, we want to motivate our senior citizens to take public transport more often. I hope that our senior citizens can maintain their active and social lives and count on our service," he added.
The preferential price for the annual pass is only available for Brussels residents. For those living outside the capital region, the STIB 65+ annual season ticket will still cost €60. Of the 54,375 65+ season tickets sold last year, 46,209 were bought by Brussels seniors.
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STIB explained that, once it has come into force, the cheaper season ticket for Brussels' over 65s must be loaded onto a personal Mobib card.
"Those who already have a nominative Mobib card can buy the subscription from 1 July at one of the STIB sales points or online via the GO Easy option. Those who do not yet have a personal Mobib card can buy this subscription at a BOOTIK sales point or via the GO Easy option with a card reader."
