Brussels Trams

Brussels Trams (Trams in Brussels)

The Brussels tramway network is a tram system serving a large part of the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium. It is the 16th largest tram system in the world by route length, in 2017 providing 149.1 million journeys (up 9.5% on 2016) over routes 140.6 km (87.4 mi) in length. In 2018, it consisted of 18 tram lines (eight of which—lines 3, 4, 7, 25, 32, 51, 55 and 82—qualified as premetro lines, and five of which—lines 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9—qualified as "Chrono" or "Fast" lines). Brussels Trams are operated by STIB/MIVB, the local public transport company.

The network's development has demonstrated many of the quandaries that face local public transport planners. It also has several interesting peculiarities: the inconsistent route pattern resulting from the closure of the interurban trams, the conflict between low-floor surface trams and high-floor underground trams, and whether the trams run on the right or the left.

Brussels Trams History

Brussels Trams Before the First World War

Belgium's first horse-drawn trams were introduced in Brussels in 1869, running from the Namur Gate to the Bois de la Cambre/Ter Kamerenbos. In 1877, a steam tram was introduced but it was not powerful enough for the hilly terrain and the tests were stopped. Simultaneously the Tramways Bruxellois experimented with a locomotive built in Tubize, but it did not work either. The components proved too fragile and this experiment was also discontinued. In 1887, experiments were made with accumulator trams, but these had a very limited range. Trolley power, used in Liège, was also tried in Brussels and in 1894 Brussels' first electric tram lines were laid from the Place Stéphanie/Stefanieplein to Uccle.

Several companies built their own tram lines until the turn of the century, the most important being Les Tramways Bruxellois (TB): founded on 23 December 1874 on the merger of the Belgian Street Railways and Omnibus Company Limited led by Albert Vaucamp and the Société des Voies ferrées Belges led by William Morris (Morris & Sheldon Company). The TB started with five horse tramlines: Schaerbeek–Room Forest (Morris), Uccle–Place Stephanie (Morris), Place Liedts–Saint-Gilles (Vaucamp), Laeken–South (Vaucamp), and Laeken–Anderlecht (Vaucamp). Another was Société générale des Chemins de Fer Économiques (CFE), popularly known as the chocolate trams because of their colour: known before 1880 as Compagnie Générale de Tramways. The CFE electrified its lines from 1904 onwards. These lines had the Brussels Stock Exchange as their central hub.

In addition, there were smaller companies: Tramways de Bruxelles à Evere et Extensions: founded in 1883, and Chemin de Fer à Voie Etroite de Bruxelles à Ixelles-Boondael (BIB): founded in 1884, and taken over by the TB on 28 April 1899. These last two companies used 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge track and started with steam traction instead of with horse trams. In 1899, the TB was granted a 45-year concession on condition that the whole network was electrified, a condition that was met in the following years. Until the First World War, many investments were made in the network, such as heavier rails and more powerful trams. The vicinal/buurtspoor networks set up city services.

Brussels Trams After the First World War

Tram services were not restored to normality until 1925. During the war, there was poor maintenance, many horses were requisitioned and tram equipment was used for military purposes. On 1 January 1928, the TB and CFE networks merged, leaving only the TB and the vicinal/buurtspoor network in operation. The CFE was known for its 'chocolate bars' so named because of their dark brown livery (several examples can still be admired in the Brussels Tram Museum). The CFE personnel also wore brown uniforms. In 1928, the CFE lines were renumbered within the TB system. In 1935, the Brussels tram network was 240 km (150 mi) long, making it one of the largest tram networks in Europe. There were almost 100 tram lines, including many direct connections between the various boroughs. For the Brussels International Exposition of 1935, the famous '5000-series' trams, the first in Brussels with two bogies, were put into service.

Because the TB concession expired on 31 December 1945, an agreement was concluded between the State and the Province of Brabant to continue the operation of the Brussels Trams. A provisional management committee was set up, which functioned until the foundation, on 1 January 1954, of the Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company (STIB/MIVB). Great efforts were made to catch up on overdue maintenance and 787 motor trams were modernised to the Brussels standard type. The electro-pneumatic brake was introduced in these cars and the conductor and driver (called Wattman in Belgium) had permanent seats.

Growing traffic congestion led to plans to build reserved tracks for trams, and in the city centre to put them in tunnel. In 1957, the first tunnel was opened near the congested Place de la Constitution/Grondwetplein, between Brussels-South railway station and Lemonnier. From 1969, trams were adapted to run in tunnel, using block signalling.

In addition to the major refurbishment of the standard cars, STIB/MIVB had a great need for modern equipment to serve the 1958 Brussels World's Fair (Expo '58), to which its organisers wished to provide public transport access from the whole city. To this end, large turning loops for hundreds of trams were laid out in the exhibition grounds. Between 1951 and 1953, the PCC car entered Brussels with motor car 7001, the start of a series of 172 cars. Over the years, many series of single-ended versions (7500 and 7700 series, 128 car) and double-ended versions (7900 series, 61 cars) followed. Eventually, the PCC car entirely replaced motor car and trailer combinations.

The development of the premetro, a tram-unfriendly policy and a constant shortage of funds led to a deterioration of the Brussels tram system well into the 1990s, with many routes being replaced by metro lines or converted to bus routes. Only with investment in new equipment (the T2000 tram) and the upgrading and improvement of the tram network did the balance turn positive.

Brussels Trams Intermodal integration

The system exists in a somewhat unusual local government context, because Brussels is a self-governing region, as an enclave within Flanders, although only some 3.3 km (2.1 mi) from Wallonia at the closest point. This means that three-way deals are necessary between Brussels' own STIB/MIVB, Flanders' De Lijn and Wallonia's TEC.

STIB/MIVB sees itself as a provider of mobility rather than just public transport, and has a 49% share in the Cambio carsharing franchise. The Brussels conurbation—19 municipalities plus adjoining commuter belt—is also served by a fairly dense network of main-line trains. The MOBIB contactless smart card can be used on buses, trams, the metro and for mainline railway season tickets, and is gradually being extended to other modes, although it is not yet accepted for single journeys by De Lijn. A simple tariff system permits unlimited changes with a one-hour period for €2.50 when bought from the driver, €2.10 from a ticket machine. Real-time arrival indicators have been installed at many tram stops. On 1 July 2020, contactless payment by debit card, credit card, smartphone or smartwatch was introduced.

Ridership has been rising, and user-friendly features that have grown up through custom and practice help this. For instance, passengers open the doors by pressing a green strip on the central pole (in PCC trams) or an illuminated button (on Flexity trams), and drivers usually make a point of waiting for latecomers. However, overcrowding in peak hours and at weekends is common. The rate of detected fare-dodging is 4.15%, despite periodic enforcement campaigns, and this is being addressed by the installation of ticket barriers in all metro stations. From 2013, the obligation to check out of as well as into the system is being progressively introduced.

Trams in Brussels Overview

Brussels Trams Locale: Brussels, Belgium
Brussels Trams Routes: 18 (2019)
Brussels Trams Owner(s): Brussels-Capital Region
Brussels Trams Operator(s): STIB/MIVB
Brussels Trams Track Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Brussels Trams Propulsion System(s): Electricity
Brussels Trams Electrification: 750 V DC overhead lines
Brussels Trams Depot(s): 7
Brussels Trams Stock: 397
Brussels Trams Track Length (total): 140.6 km
Brussels Trams Route Length:141.1 km (87.7 mi)
Brussels Trams Revenue: 2017: 149.1 million
Brussels Trams Horsecar Era: 1869–ca. 1900
Brussels Trams Status: Converted to electricity
Brussels Trams Track Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Brussels Trams Propulsion System(s): Horses
Brussels Trams Steam Tram Era: 1876–1877, 1879
Brussels Trams Status: Experiments abandoned
Brussels Trams Track Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Brussels Trams Propulsion System(s): Steam
Brussels Trams Accumulator Tram Era: 1883, 1886–1889
Brussels Trams Status: Experiments abandoned
Brussels Trams Track Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Brussels Trams Propulsion System(s): Rechargeable batteries
Brussels Trams Electric Tram Era: since 1894
Brussels Trams Status: Still Running
Brussels Trams Owner(s): Brussels-Capital Region
Brussels Trams Operator(s):
STIB/MIVB (since 1954)