The Brussels-Capital Region has been working to improve the chaotic traffic situation around Brussels North since a cyclist died in a FlixBus accident. However, the delayed relocation of the international bus station is halting any progress.
Uber Eats bicycle courier Sultan Zadran was hit by a FlixBus at the intersection of Boulevard Roi Albert II and Place Solvay near Brussels North station in February last year. Around this time, cyclists complained of FlixBus vehicles posing a danger by being parked on cycle paths.
"Since the accident, the situation has already been improved," Pieterjan Desmet, spokesperson for Brussels' Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen), told Bruzz. He spoke of parking spaces being cordoned off and bollards that have been installed. FlixBus itself promised to bring in stewards to keep traffic under control and to better instruct drivers.
The latest intervention will see some FlixBus stands for buses to international destinations such as Amsterdam, London, Paris, Milan and Bucharest, being temporarily moved to further improve safety.
Within a few weeks, they will move from near the Ministry of Finance on Avenue Albert II, which was meant to be a temporary location but has been used for years now, to 200 metres away on the same avenue between Avenue Willem De Molst and Rue Rogier, further to the north of the station.
Solution still up in the air
This move, which aims to minimise conflict with other road users, comes in anticipation of the long-awaited permanent international bus station. For years now, the Region has been looking for a new permanent location for this travel hub.
The Region initially planned to build a 15-storey station on the Erasmus site in Anderlecht under former State Secretary Pascal Smet (Vooruit.brussels). On Tuesday, he once again stressed that the city's lack of an international bus station was "a disaster for people who commute, cyclists and the reputation of Brussels."
"Five years ago, everything was ready for the move to Erasmus. Since then, nothing has happened," he wrote on social media. However, the Erasmus plans were opposed by both the Anderlecht city council and the Erasmus Hospital.
FlixBus also threw a spanner in the works, stressing that such an international hub should remain near a train station to provide a good connection to other destinations and also to the city. The Erasmus site relies on only one metro line and there is no train station in the vicinity, de facto making buses much less accessible.
City authorities oppose keeping the bus station at Brussels North, however, as it creates unsafe traffic conditions. The Region instead suggested locations such as Heysel, Herrmann-Debroux (which has a 15-minute metro connection to Gare Centrale) and Ceria (in Anderlecht). But almost one year on, the "ambition" to find a new location is losing momentum.
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Meanwhile, the area continues to be very dangerous for cyclists, despite efforts made by the Region, De Standaard reported on Tuesday.
During rush hour, it is a jumble of cars, taxis, buses and hundreds of passengers. When the green buses pull up, chaos ensues, and many buses park incorrectly, including on cycle lanes. Passengers are then forced to unload their luggage on the street, near passing traffic, and locals, especially cyclists, avoid the area.
