Mobility: new regional plan, Metro 3 frozen, LEZ maintained

Coalition Agreement: Announced Commitments

The agreement of 12 February 2026 sets a major shift in mobility policy:

• Good Move: a new Regional Mobility Plan will succeed it, with smaller zones (school perimeters)
• Metro 3: frozen for 10 years, replaced by a tram completing the loop of the existing network
• Tram 15 (Gare du Nord -- Tour & Taxis): maintained
• STIB construction sites: Constitution and Palais du Midi continue
• Car-free Sunday: a second Sunday per year
• LEZ: maintained -- annual pass at EUR 350 (reduced rate EUR 200), fine per violation reduced from 350 to EUR 80, 4-fine annual cap removed
• STIB fares: preferential youth/senior rates maintained
• Contested bollards: removal

The 10-year freeze on Metro 3 is the most structuring decision: it ends the project as conceived (extension to Bordet, EUR 4.76 billion) and redirects investment towards the tramway.

Additional mobility commitments (DPR, chapter 3)

The DPR contains additional commitments not yet detailed:

• STOP principle: hierarchy of pedestrians > cyclists > public transport > cars as the guiding principle for mobility policy
• Vision Zero: target of zero road fatalities on Brussels roads
• Road vignette: feasibility assessment of a vignette for vehicles entering the Region
• LISA zone: extension of 30 km/h zones beyond the current perimeter
• S-trains: development of the suburban rail network in collaboration with the federal level (SNCB)

These commitments are set out in the DPR but have not yet been translated into implementation measures.

Metro 3: progress on the southern section (March 2026)

On 11 March 2026, STIB announced that the structural works of the Toots Thielemans pre-metro station (beneath Stalingrad Avenue) are completed. The structural shell is finished, but fit-out works (tiling, wall cladding, escalators, fare gates) remain to be carried out.

This milestone allows the redevelopment of Stalingrad Avenue to begin in autumn 2026: pedestrian promenades will be added on both sides of the roadway. The City of Brussels has already obtained the necessary permit.

Regarding the missing link (120 metres of tunnel beneath the Palais du Midi), civil engineering works will take a further four years and could begin in 2027, subject to two conditions: the rejection of the heritage listing application for the Palais du Midi and the granting of a planning permit for the interior demolition of the building. Several associations have lodged appeals, and the Council of State had suspended the permit in December 2025.

The Toots Thielemans station, paired with the Lemonnier station, will enable the doubling of tracks in the pre-metro tunnel between Gare du Midi and Bourse, increasing service frequency.

Sources: VRT NWS, BRUZZ, La Libre (11 March 2026).

On 12 March, the SM Toots consortium engineers were heard by the Parliament's special Metro 3 commission. They stated that the Palais du Midi should have been evacuated earlier to allow thorough soil testing. The clay layer was found to be deeper than expected (24 m piles required), and the jet grouting technique proved unsuitable for the heterogeneous soil. The "build only" contract did not allow the consortium to modify the design.

Source: BRUZZ (12 March 2026).

On 24 March, Brussels-City mayor Philippe Close was heard in turn, following earlier hearings with Vervoort, Picqué, Onkelinx, Reynders and Mayeur. The Court of Auditors report (2024) had denounced an "incoherent process", "opaque management" and "uncertain financial viability" of the project.

Sources: Brussels Parliament, BRUZZ (24 March 2026).

Road safety — 20 killed in 2025 (doubled)

On 10 March 2026, the Vias Institute publishes road fatality figures for Belgium in 2025. Brussels recorded 20 traffic deaths in 2025, compared with 10 in 2024, 10 in 2023 and 10 in 2022 — a doubling in one year. The trend runs counter to the other two regions: Flanders dropped from 248 to 234 deaths (−6%), Wallonia from 197 to 191 (−3%).

At the national level, electric scooters are a warning signal: 13 killed in 2025 (up from 4 in 2024). Pedestrian deaths reached a historic low (52, down from 70 the previous year). Overall severity is declining: 12 killed per 1,000 injury accidents in 2025, versus 16 per 1,000 in 2016.

This doubling in Brussels directly contrasts with the Vision Zero target set out in the Dilliès government's DPR (chapter 3: "zero road deaths on Brussels roads"). No specific implementation measures have been announced to date.

Source: Vias Institute (police data), BRUZZ (10 March 2026).

STIB-MIVB network: buses will not return to Schumanplein

The STIB-MIVB confirms that the 5 bus lines diverted during the Schumanplein redevelopment works will not return to the roundabout after completion (expected end of 2026). Buses remain permanently rerouted with Maalbeek as their terminus. The retractable bollard system planned to allow buses through the pedestrianised section of Schumanplein has been abandoned: deemed too complex given the volume of buses. Beliris had already begun installing composite reinforcement for the system. Impact: reduced public transport accessibility on the Schuman axis (metro lines 1 and 5 + Schuman train station only).

Bara slab works — trams cut for 1 year (27 April 2026)

STIB announced on 4 March 2026 the interruption of 4 tram lines near Gare du Midi for one year (27 April 2026 to April 2027). Reason: emergency repair of a concrete slab beneath Place Bara in the pre-metro tunnel. The 40-year-old infrastructure shows water infiltration and steel corrosion. Without intervention, a collapse risk cannot be ruled out.

Alternatives: metro 2/6 (Porte de Hal–Gare du Midi), reinforced bus 50, extended bus 96, extended bus 37 Albert–Gare du Midi, extended tram 82 via Stalle/Marlow, SNCB line S1.

Source: STIB (4 March 2026).

Tunnel renovation — EUR 101.3M (Beliris + Region)

On 4 March 2026, federal minister Bernard Quintin (MR, Beliris) announced in the federal Parliament's Mobility Committee an envelope of EUR 50 million (Beliris) for the renovation of Brussels tunnels (Louise, Belliard, among others). The Brussels Region adds EUR 51.3 million, for a total of EUR 101.3 million.

Other Beliris projects mentioned: park-and-ride facilities (Stalle), cycle highways, Mediapark Reyers, Biestebroeck canal, Schumanplein (end of works: autumn 2026).

Source: BX1 (4 March 2026).

Shared mobility

Approximately 15,700 shared vehicles operate in the Brussels Region (March 2025): ~9,200 e-scooters and ~6,500 free-floating bikes. The Villo! concession (360 stations, JCDecaux) expires in September 2026 with no successor identified. E-scooter licences (Bolt, Dott) expire at end of 2026. Accident rates are rising: 541 injured in Brussels in 2024, +62% in Q1 2025.

The DPR does not mention shared mobility as a public policy.

Bois de la Cambre: boulders replaced by concrete blocks (March 2026)

The 40 boulders installed in April 2025 in the Bois de la Cambre to slow down fast cyclists were replaced on 13 March 2026 by concrete blocks that cannot be moved. The City of Brussels Mobility Alderman, Anais Maes (Vooruit), took this decision after police recorded excessive speeds in early March.

The mayor described the measure as temporary, the objective being full removal by 2030 as part of a definitive redevelopment of the site (studies underway). The measure drew criticism from Ecolo-Groen, which denounces reactive rather than planned management.

Region vs City escalation (23 March 2026): The regional service urban.brussels issued a formal citation against the City of Brussels for urbanistic violations — the concrete blocks were placed without a building permit in a classified zone. State Secretary for Urban Planning Audrey Henry (MR) demanded that a permit be submitted. Minister-President Boris Dilliès (MR) criticised "improvised and successive developments". The City announced it would submit a permit (anchored blocks, aesthetic solution forthcoming). This conflict constitutes the first visible crack in the 7-party government (day 37).

Sources: BRUZZ, BX1, La Libre (12-13 March 2026), L'Avenir, DH (23 March 2026).

Structural data: Mini-Bru IBSA 2026

The Mini-Bru 2026 documents the travel habits of Brussels residents:

56% of Brussels households do not own a car (vs 24% in Flanders, 25% in Wallonia). The car fleet declined by 18% between 2015 and 2025 (from 639K to 524K vehicles).

Shared mobility services are growing rapidly: 24,789 uses/day of free-floating scooters (2024, x3 since 2021), 7,987 uses/day of shared bicycles.

Source: BISA Mini-Bru 2026 (FPS Mobility, BELDAM, Statbel, 2024 data).

STIB Taxibus: end of PRM minibus service (March 2026)

The Mobility Minister confirmed on 17 March 2026, in the Brussels Parliament committee, the non-renewal of the STIB Taxibus minibus fleet dedicated to persons with reduced mobility. The current service (12 minibuses) will be progressively replaced by private taxis by end 2027.

The fare impact is estimated at EUR 2 to EUR 5-8 per trip. The regional PRM transport grant has been increased from 4.7 to EUR 6.7 million/year (+2M), but the fleet renewal cost (EUR 4.5M) is deemed unfundable. The PRM budget represents 0.1% of the regional budget.

The association Alteo has launched a petition against this decision. The matter was the subject of a parliamentary hearing on 17 March 2026.

Source: La Libre (17 March 2026).

Cycling: +15.3% usage in 2025, but rising insecurity

The Fietsobservatorium (Pro Velo) published on 17 March 2026 the results of the Brussels cycling observatory for 2025. The number of cyclists during rush hours increased by +15.3% in one year — a record. In parallel, 71% of cyclists wear a helmet, compared to only 20% of scooter users.

The cyclist profile is diversifying: 40% are women (60% men). Electric bikes represent 50% of the flow (near gender parity on e-bikes). Longtails account for 10% and cargo bikes (bakfietsen) 5%.

However, the sense of insecurity is worsening: only 24% of cyclists feel safe (vs 39% in 2023). 33% of cyclists report having had an accident in the past two years. This deterioration in the perception of safety despite growing usage echoes the doubling of road deaths in Brussels in 2025 (20 killed, x2 vs 2022-2024).

The survey covers 393 cyclists.

Sources: Pro Velo / Fietsobservatorium (17 March 2026), DH (17 March 2026), BRUZZ (19 March 2026).

Good Move: detailed successor timeline (April 2026)

On 14 and 15 April 2026, the Mobility Minister set out to BRUZZ and La Libre the timeline for Good Move's succession:

• Before summer 2026: note submitted to the government on the basis of the Regional Mobility Plan Observatory's report
• End 2026: evaluation finalised and submitted in final version to the government
• 2027-2030: window for possible corrections to the current plan
• From 2030: new mobility plan in force (official name not yet communicated)

The minister recalls that Good Move covers some fifty measures beyond the circulation plans, aimed at "a more liveable and road-safe city". The STOP principle (pedestrians > cyclists > public transport > cars) is maintained.

Self-criticism on participation: Van den Brandt acknowledges resistance in Cureghem and Schaerbeek, attributed to a "lack of buy-in" and insufficient consultation. The new plan must "reduce the scope of actions to make case-by-case situations more manageable" and strengthen dialogue with the municipalities. "Good communication with the population is incredibly important, but also incredibly difficult" in the Brussels context.

Position on public space: asked about parking, the minister is unambiguous: "If I have to remove parking spaces to make a space safer, I will do so." Priority is placed on school surroundings, where "a consensus on the need for road-safe mobility" is observed.

Sources: La Libre (15 April 2026); BRUZZ (14 April 2026). Confidence: official.

LEZ: regulatory gap with 6 days to go before 1 April (26 March 2026)

With 6 days until the next phase of the LEZ calendar takes effect (1 April 2026), the regulatory framework is not finalised. The government has announced a transitional system, but this remains an "informal agreement in principle" — no official text (decree) has been published to date.

The announced but not yet formalised parameters:

• Annual pass: EUR 350 to drive a non-compliant vehicle
• Social pass: EUR 200 for vulnerable categories
• Reduced fine: EUR 80/month (instead of EUR 350 per offence)

Until 31 March: warnings only, no fines. From 1 April: EUR 350 fines per offence technically apply if no new text enters into force.

The opposition denounces "blatant amateurism". A comprehensive reform of the LEZ fine system is planned: first reading "in the coming weeks", with the aim of entry into force by January 2027.

Fracture over social exemptions (26-27 March): the question of exemptions for holders of BIM status (Beneficiary of Increased Reimbursement) deeply divides the coalition. PS and Vooruit demanded full exemption for BIM holders — approximately 30% of Brussels residents according to IBSA. Groen blocked this exemption, arguing it would hollow out the LEZ and expose the Region to legal disputes. The Council of State had already warned that the constitutional standstill principle prevents reducing existing environmental protections.

A government source summarises: "We're navigating a minefield... we know we'll face lawsuits." This disagreement constitutes the first major policy fracture of the Dilliès government on a substantive issue, on day 43 of its existence.

Sources: La Libre, La DH (26 March 2026), RTBF. Confidence: official (positions confirmed by multiple government sources).

Road maintenance: AI scanning and reinforced budget (March 2026)

Brussels Mobility is deploying an artificial intelligence system to map the condition of regional roads: dashboard cameras (GPS dashcam) coupled with an algorithm for automatic detection of potholes, cracks and road surface defects.

An additional budget of EUR 10 million is allocated in 2026 for regional road maintenance, on top of the current budget. Works are scheduled during night-time and weekends to limit the impact on traffic.

Source: Brussels Mobility, BRUZZ (20 March 2026).

Bombshell: LEZ fines suspended (27 March 2026)

On 27 March 2026 — exactly 4 days before the new LEZ phase takes effect — Budget Minister Dirk De Smedt (Anders) announced that no fines will be issued to diesel Euro 5 and petrol Euro 2 vehicles from 1 April. This decision directly contradicts what Mobility State Secretary Ans Persoons (Vooruit) had stated 24 hours earlier: she had confirmed that fines would indeed begin.

Crisis elements:

• De Smedt: no fines until the legal framework is reformed — he instructs Brussels Fiscality not to collect the fines
• Persoons (Vooruit): had stated the opposite the previous day, undermining the authority of the mobility portfolio
• Van den Brandt (Groen): denounces a "PS-Anders power grab" and warns of legal risks (Council of State standstill principle)
• ~30,000 vehicles in legal limbo: technically banned but not fineable
• Reformed framework: the first reading of a new ordinance is planned in the coming weeks, with targeted entry into force in January 2027

This episode represents the second visible fracture in the 7-party coalition (day 43, after the concrete blocks episode on day 37). The LEZ issue remains a minefield for the Dilliès government.

Sources: RTBF, La Libre, BX1 (27 March 2026).

LEZ agreement: fines from 7 June (4 April 2026)

Following the first government crisis (2-4 April, see Institutional card), the government reached an agreement on the LEZ on 4 April 2026:

An LEZ taskforce must define the exempt categories (BIM beneficiaries, professional uses, vulnerable groups) before 15 June. The ordinance for the comprehensive reform of the LEZ system is expected by 15 June, with effective implementation in 2027.

Finance Minister De Smedt (Anders) has 10 days to confirm the 7 June date, conditional on the lifting of technical obstacles by Brussels Fiscality.

Source: RTBF / BX1 / La Libre / DH (3-4 April 2026). Confidence: official (government agreement).

Local improvements April 2026: Place Sainctelette, Colonel Bourg, « Spanish lights »

In early April, three local mobility files progressed — each illustrating in its own way the coordination (or friction) between the Region and the municipalities.

Place Sainctelette — traffic redirected to the southern bridge (14 April 2026)

As part of the overall renovation of the square and the bridge over the canal, which began in 2025, Brussels Mobility launched a new works phase on 14 April 2026: the northern bridge is under restoration, all motor traffic is redirected to the southern bridge — one lane per direction maintained. Tram 51 remains suspended on this section. Repair of the northern bridge is expected to be completed by mid-June. Full delivery of the square is targeted for 28 November 2026, the opening date of the Kanal museum.

Rue Colonel Bourg (Schaerbeek) — about a dozen parking spaces removed

Also in early April, Brussels Mobility removed about a dozen parking spaces on Rue Colonel Bourg, a regional road near the RTBF site, to widen cycling infrastructure. The stated reason: safety, following the death of a cyclist on 11 July 2024 on this same street. The decision provoked a public tension between the Regional Minister of Mobility (Groen) and the PS alderman for Mobility of Schaerbeek, the latter contesting the lack of consultation with the municipality. The regional minister defended the measure in the name of a non-negotiable principle of road safety.

« Spanish lights » in Auderghem — 8 devices, Region sceptical

Auderghem now has 8 « Spanish lights »: traffic lights equipped with a camera that measures vehicle speed over 50 to 200 metres upstream and automatically turns red in case of excess speed. The first two were installed in 2024 near Saint-Hubert College and the Royal Athenaeum. They are not radars: no fine is generated, no driver is identified. Auderghem says it is satisfied with results observed near schools. Brussels Mobility is sceptical: according to the regional administration, effectiveness is questionable (drivers slow down only in the detection zone then accelerate, or run red lights) and the system is poorly suited to coordinated traffic management in Brussels — a classic repressive radar would remain more effective in their view.

Sources: BRUZZ — New traffic routing Place Sainctelette (13 April 2026); La Libre — PS-Groen tensions over Rue Colonel Bourg parking (13 April 2026); La Libre — « Spanish lights » divide (12 April 2026). Confidence: official.

PMR Accessibility

57 of 69 metro stations are equipped with lifts (Parc and Simonis equipped June 2025, 10 new lifts). The entire bus fleet has access ramps. STIB is deploying a Strategic Accessibility Plan (PSMA): 50 stops upgraded per year. New TNG trams include automatic ramps.