Evening and night services on Brussels Metro Line 1 will be suspended between Joséphine-Charlotte and Stockel stations, starting from Monday evening until 22 August.
The decision comes as the Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company (STIB) finalises the replacement of its signalling systems on Metro Lines 1 and 5, a project undertaken since 2017.
The modernisation works involve the introduction of a more advanced system known as CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control), which is anticipated to enhance the reliability and regularity of Metro traffic.
Since 1976, trains have been using the existing signalling system, which is now being replaced by the CBTC. The sophisticated technology uses onboard transponders and real-time data to accurately determine the exact distances between trains. Thus it aims to increase frequency across the network while maintaining safety.
The innovative system is designed for "direct communication between trains". Every train will consistently be aware of distances separating it from preceding and following trains, allowing them to operate closer together whilst upholding a required minimum distance.
By leveraging this precise data, the interval between two Metro trains can be reduced to as little as two minutes, a significant reduction from the current window of two and a half minutes.
Efforts to modernise the system have primarily been carried out during night hours so far.
From the 5 to the 22 August, Metro Line 1 will cease services between Joséphine-Charlotte and Stockel stations every evening from 21:00, Monday to Thursday. Shuttle buses will provide services between Merode and Stockel during these disruptions.
