For a few weeks now, those using the STIB public transport network can withdraw money from ATMs in new stations – a service that, like the presence of shops in the stations, is designed to create a pleasant and useful customer journey.
In total, 30 ATMs are being installed in the stations. Since another ATM was already present near certain stations, the existing machines in the Saint-Guidon, Heysel, Delta, Demey and Alma stations were removed, while ATMs were installed in the stations of Trône, Beekkant, Comte de Flandre, Anneessens et Étangs Noirs.
The installation has now been completed in all stations, except West Station (where it is planned for 2023), North Station and Central Station, where works are in progress. An ATM will also be installed in the future Liedts station, on metro line 3, which is still being constructed.
Customers of the ING, BNP, KBC and Belfius banks, who currently do not pay to withdraw money from their respective banks, will not be charged for this at the new Bancontact machines either.
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A recent large-scale survey on payment attitudes carried out by the European Central Bank showed that no other country in Europe has so many complaints about the (lack of) ATMs than Belgium.
The closure of many bank branches in recent years and the disappearance of cash machines are a source of frustration. While the results showed that 46% of the EU population "has no problem" obtaining cash via ATMs and 40% find it "fairly easy" to do so, respondents in Belgium find it much more difficult.
An average of 9% of respondents in the Eurozone indicated that they find it "difficult" to get their hands on cash, this percentage rose to 27% when only taking into accound Belgium – a 12% increase.
