Brussels Metro

Brussels Metro
Brussels Metro train (M6 "Boa" series) at Erasme/Erasmus metro station
Brussels Metro train (M6 "Boa" series) at Erasme/Erasmus metro station
Overview
Native name
LocaleBrussels-Capital Region
Transit typeRapid transit
Number of lines4 metro lines (M1, M2, M5, M6)[1]
3 premetro lines (T4, T7, T10)
Number of stations59 (metro only)
69[1] (with premetro)
Annual ridership129.2 million (2022)[2]
WebsiteSTIB/MIVB
Operation
Began operation20 September 1976; 48 years ago (1976-09-20)[3]
Operator(s)STIB/MIVB
Number of vehicles66[4]
Technical
System length39.9 km (24.8 mi) (metro only)[1]
55.7 km (34.6 mi) (with premetro)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification900 V DC third rail
System map

The Brussels Metro (French: Métro de Bruxelles; Dutch: Brusselse metro) is a rapid transit system serving a large part of the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium. It consists of four conventional metro lines and three premetro lines. The metro-grade lines are M1, M2, M5, and M6[1] with some shared sections, covering a total of 39.9 kilometres (24.8 mi),[1] with 59 metro-only stations. The premetro network consists of three tram lines (T4, T7, and T10) that partly travel over underground sections that were intended to be eventually converted into metro lines.[5] Underground stations in the premetro network use the same design as metro stations. A few short underground tramway sections exist, so there is a total of 52.0 kilometres (32.3 mi) of underground metro and tram network.[1] There are a total of 69 metro and premetro stations as of 2011.[1]

The Brussels Metro was planned at the beginning of the 1960s to become a fully underground network. The original network, running between De Brouckère and Schuman, was inaugurated on 17 December 1969 as premetro tramways,[6] which were later, in 1976, converted into the common section of the first two metro lines. These lines were then considered a single line with two branches, between De Brouckère and Tomberg and De Brouckère and Beaulieu.[3] On 4 April 2009, with the completion of the "loop" of line 2 connecting Delacroix and Gare de l'Ouest/Weststation, the Brussels Metro was significantly reorganised.

The Brussels Metro is administered by the Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company (STIB/MIVB). In 2011, it was used for 125.8 million journeys,[7] and it was used for 138.3 million journeys in 2012.[8] It is also an important means of transport, connecting with six railway stations of the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB), and many tram and bus stops operated by STIB/MIVB, as well as with Flemish De Lijn and Walloon TEC bus stops. Additionally, some metro stations offer suburban railway links as part of the Brussels Regional Express Network (RER/GEN) system.

On 22 March 2016, Maelbeek/Maalbeek metro station was bombed, killing about 20 people and injuring 106. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility.

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Activity Report 2011 - Figures & statistics '11" (PDF). STIB/MIVB. p. 08. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  2. ^ "ALGEMENE INDICATOREN" (PDF). STIB/MIVB. 30 May 2023. p. 1. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b "STIB - Historique de la STIB de 1970 à 1979" [STIB - History of STIB from 1970 to 1979] (in French). STIB. 2013. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Activity Report 2011 - Figures & statistics '11" (PDF). STIB/MIVB. p. 12. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  5. ^ "Trams are coming back". New Scientist (by Ian Yearsley). 21 December 1972.
  6. ^ "STIB - La STIB de 1960 à 1969" [STIB - STIB from 1960 to 1969] (in French). STIB. 2013. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  7. ^ "Activity Report 2011 - Figures & statistics '11" (PDF). STIB/MIVB. p. 02. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  8. ^ "STIB - Key Figures". STIB. 2013. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2014.