Public transport: Metro 3 advances, but political decisions are frozen

A lifeline for Brussels mobility

The Brussels public transport network, managed by STIB-MIVB, forms the backbone of mobility in the Brussels-Capital Region. With approximately 430 million journeys per year, 4 metro lines, 18 tram lines and 54 bus lines, STIB carries hundreds of thousands of Brussels residents, commuters and visitors daily.

The operation and development of this network depend on regional political decisions: the multi-year investment plan, budgetary arbitrations on major infrastructure projects, fare policy and the planning of new lines.

Since 9 June 2024, these levers have been frozen. The network operates, but it can no longer evolve.

Metro 3: a project that advances, decisions that wait

The state of play

The Metro 3 project is the largest transport infrastructure construction project in Brussels history. It provides for the construction of a new metro line linking Gare du Nord to Bordet (Evere), with seven new stations. The total cost is estimated at approximately EUR 3.2 billion, co-financed by the Brussels-Capital Region and the federal government through Beliris.

Civil engineering works continue in accordance with contracts committed before June 2024. The tunnel boring machines advance, stations are being excavated, and workers are on site.

What is blocked

However, key political decisions remain suspended:

• Budgetary arbitrations: cost overruns cannot be the subject of political decisions
• Timeline: any adjustments to the commissioning date cannot be validated
• Southern extension: any decision on extending the line to southern Brussels is deferred
• Intermodal integration: decisions on connecting Metro 3 with other networks (SNCB, TEC, De Lijn) require political arbitration

The risk is that of a project that continues mechanically, but without the political governance needed to manage the inherent uncertainties of a project of this scale.

Source: Beliris, Metro 3 progress report, 2025; STIB, annual report 2024.

STIB investment plan: the strategic freeze

The mechanism

STIB operates on the basis of a management contract with the Brussels-Capital Region, which defines public service obligations, quality targets and financial resources. This contract is accompanied by a multi-year investment plan that programmes the purchase of new rolling stock, station renovation, network extension and infrastructure modernisation.

What is suspended

The multi-year investment plan cannot be renewed or adapted. The consequences are gradual:

• No ordering of new rolling stock beyond existing contracts
• No renovation of ageing stations outside of already-launched projects
• No investment in the digital modernisation of the network (ticketing, real-time passenger information)
• No adaptation of services to Brussels' demographic changes

Rolling stock ages, stations deteriorate, and needs grow with the increasing Brussels population.

Source: STIB, investment plan 2020-2025; Brussels Mobility, regional mobility plan.

New lines and frequencies: a frozen offering

The need

Several rapidly expanding neighbourhoods (Heysel, Tour & Taxis, renovated European quarter) require an adaptation of the public transport offering. Projects for new tram lines, bus route extensions and increased frequencies were under study before June 2024.

What is blocked

• No creation of new bus or tram lines
• No increase in frequencies on saturated lines
• No route changes to serve new neighbourhoods
• No decision on dedicated tramway projects

Users in poorly served neighbourhoods continue to endure long journey times and multiple connections.

Source: Brussels Mobility, new lines feasibility study, 2024.

Fares and accessibility

Decisions on STIB network fares are also frozen:

• No changes to social fares for vulnerable populations
• No extension of free travel to new user categories
• No fare harmonisation with other operators (TEC, De Lijn, SNCB)
• No additional investment in accessibility for persons with reduced mobility (PRM)

Source: STIB, fare schedule 2024; Brussels Mobility, accessibility plan.

What continues to function

Ongoing operations

STIB continues to transport hundreds of thousands of passengers daily. Timetables are maintained, lines operate, and staff are in place. Existing service quality is preserved.

Ongoing construction

All projects launched before June 2024 continue normally. Metro 3 advances, planned station renovations are being carried out, and ordered rolling stock is being delivered.

Maintenance

Network maintenance (tracks, stations, rolling stock) continues to be carried out within existing budgets.

Impact on users

The freeze on decision-making has tangible consequences for users:

• Saturation of lines during peak hours with no prospect of short-term improvement
• Ageing of rolling stock on certain lines
• Lack of adequate service in newly developing neighbourhoods
• Stagnation of social fare options despite rising cost of living

Outlook

Brussels public transport faces a paradox: a mega-project (Metro 3) that advances mechanically, but an overall system that cannot adapt to the changing needs of the city. Each month without political decisions widens the gap between the transport offering and user demand.

The Metro 3 question perfectly illustrates this tension: the tunnel boring machines dig, but the decisions that will determine service quality, intermodality and the final cost of the project await a fully empowered government.

Main sources: STIB, annual report 2024; Beliris, Metro 3 monitoring; Brussels Mobility, regional mobility plan; hub.brussels, sectoral economic data.