Brussels public transport operator STIB/MIVB will dim the lights in 20 of the 69 Brussels metro and pre-metro stations for Earth Hour on Saturday 22 March at 20:30, as part of a WWF initiative to draw attention to the climate crisis by plunging the world into darkness for an hour.
The 69 underground metro and tram stations are lit from the beginning to the end of the service, meaning from approximately 05:00 to 01:00. However, to mark Earth Hour, the light intensity will be reduced in 20 metro and pre-metro stations.
"The symbolic campaign will save around 470 kWh – equivalent to the monthly electricity consumption of around 1.6 Brussels households," the operator said. There will still be enough light to provide passengers with sufficient visibility.
To reduce energy consumption, new energy-efficient LED lighting is being systematically installed in collaboration with Brussels Mobility. In 2024, the Jacques Brel and Midi stations were equipped with this new lighting. This year, the Delta, Osseghem/Ossegem and Parc/Park stations will follow.
Large energy consumer
Now, only 11 stations do not have any LED lighting yet, 20 are already partially equipped and 38 are almost completely lit with LED lamps. The objective of the 'relightning' programme is to provide 74% of the total station surface area with LED lighting by 2027.
On average, people who travel by public transport emit approximately four times less CO2 than people who travel by car. This is an important figure to keep in mind, given the climate and mobility challenges facing the Brussels-Capital Region.
Given the size of its bus, tram and metro network, STIB/MIVB remains a major energy consumer. With numerous measures, the transport company aims to reduce its ecological footprint, while also making savings. A good example of this is the contract with the local green energy supplier Aspiravi, which is expected to generate savings of €4 million to €7 million over 5 years.
Between 2018 and 2023, STIB/MIVB improved the energy performance of its vehicles and buildings by 13.2%. Between 2023 and 2024, there was a further improvement of 1.9%.
Metro station Georges Henri. Credit: STIB/MIVB
Thanks to the deployment of around 400 hybrid and 37 electric vehicles since 2018, STIB/MIVB has already been able to reduce its diesel consumption and carbon footprint. At the end of 2024, the operator still had 408 diesel buses. These will be gradually replaced by electric buses between 2025 and 2035.
106 new electric buses are expected on the network between now and 2026. In the meantime, the first 24 units of an order for 70 eCitaro articulated buses are running on lines 46, 53 and 89. The delivery of 36 standard eCitaros is scheduled for early 2026.
STIB/MIVB staff are also being trained in the specific characteristics of each vehicle to minimise fuel and electricity consumption. By applying a few "ecodrive" principles, consumption can be reduced by half. Additionally, depots and workshops are being renovated or built in accordance with the strictest environmental standards.
