From this week, tram lines 92 and 93 will be interrupted in Brussels city centre due to works in part of Rue de la Régence, Avenue de la Reine and Place Royale until autumn. For many in the capital, this disrupts their morning and evening commute.
The Brussels transport operator STIB will lay new tracks to minimise noise and vibrations and build new stops that are more secure and accessible. As a result, line 92 will not serve the Poelaert, Petit Sablon, Royale and Palais. Line 93 will be interrupted between Louise and Jules De Trooz.
"This has a big impact, it is a very important route. And the replacement buses are usually not as good," one commuter told The Brussels Times. Another said that this "major interruption" means they can no longer take the tram to go into the city centre.
A third called it "shameful" that people are "forced to take public transport when it is so unreliable."
Busiest outside the centre
Trams 92 and 93 are indeed very popular, public transport operator STIB confirmed to The Brussels Times. "The largest number of passengers on these lines is traditionally located (just) outside the city centre. Even before the interruption that started this week, quite a few travellers coming from Fort-Jaco or Legrand got off at Louise."
The same is true for buses such as line 71 (where a large group of travellers get off at Porte de Namur), and even on metro lines 1 and 5, which carry more passengers in the European district – Merode to Arts-Loi – rather than into the city centre. This is likely because many destinations such as shops and offices are near the Small Ring road and many people get off the tram here to take metro lines 2 and 6.
"We understand that the interruption is not good news for people who need to be at one of the stops between Louise and Parc. However, putting in a replacement bus proved impossible for practical (the route of travel would be complicated by the works) and organisational reasons (the availability of buses and staff)," said spokesperson Laurent Vermeersch.
Map showing the disruptions. Credit: STIB
Nor is it easy to increase the frequency on existing lines to accommodate the increase in passengers who need an alternative to the tram. Reinforcing one line often has a negative impact on another service, Vermeersch explained.
However, the stops will continue to be served by bus lines: 38 and 71 via Place Royale and 95 via Sablon. "We are monitoring the situation and once the adjustment period is over we will evaluate whether more changes should (and can) be made."
Vermeersch stressed that STIB is trying to keep the disruption as short as possible but acknowledged that it will undoubtedly take some passengers time to adjust. "Hopefully, the construction sites will proceed smoothly so that by the autumn passengers on tram lines 92 and 93 will be able to travel on brand new tracks and get on and off at comfortable and secure stops."
