Brussels Governance MonitorPublic transport: Metro 3 suspended (EUR 4.76bn), STIB under pressure
Metro 3 has been suspended for 10 years after a 477% cost overrun (from ~EUR 1bn to EUR 4.76bn). STIB is postponing fleet and signalling investments. A new mobility plan will succeed Good Move.
Unblocked mechanisms — awaiting implementation
These mechanisms were frozen during the caretaker government period (June 2024 – February 2026). The government sworn in on 14 February 2026 can now reactivate them.
STIB investment plan
The STIB's multi-year investment plan could not be renewed or adapted: only prior commitments were being executed. The new government has announced structural savings for STIB.
Regional Metro 3 arbitrations
Metro 3 construction continued, but regional political decisions (STIB/Region) on the route, regional budget and timeline were suspended. Federal decisions via Beliris continued independently. The new government has frozen the project for 10 years in favour of a tram.
New lines and frequencies
No decisions could be taken on creating new bus or tram lines, nor on increasing service frequencies. A new mobility plan succeeding Good Move has been announced.
Fares and accessibility
Decisions on social fares and network accessibility measures could not be taken. Preferential youth/senior fares are maintained under the new agreement.
What continues
Ongoing STIB operations
STIB continues to operate its full network (metro, tram, bus) according to existing timetables and frequencies.
Ongoing construction
Infrastructure projects launched before June 2024, including Metro 3, continue within committed budgets.
Beliris governance (federal)
Beliris, the federal cooperation agreement that co-finances Metro 3, continues to make its investment decisions independently of the regional crisis.
Impact indicators
~430 million
Annual journeys on the STIB network
STIB
~EUR 1.1bn
STIB annual budget
STIB, annual report 2024
4,76 Md EUR
Metro 3 cost (Court of Audit)
Cour des comptes / RTBF (2026)
+477 %
Metro 3 budget overrun
Cour des comptes (2026)
Coalition Agreement: Announced Decisions
The agreement of 12 February 2026 marks a historic shift for Brussels public transport:
- Metro 3 frozen for 10 years -- the project as conceived (extension to Bordet, EUR 4.76 billion) is suspended in favour of a tram completing the loop of the existing network
- New plan succeeding Good Move — a new Regional Mobility Plan, with smaller zones (school areas)
- Tram 15 (Gare du Nord -- Tour & Taxis): maintained
- Constitution and Palais du Midi construction sites: continued
- 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
- 2nd car-free Sunday per year
The freeze on Metro 3 is the most structuring decision for the sector: it redirects billions of euros of investment towards the tramway and changes the mobility strategy for 10+ years.
Court of Audit and STIB (February 2026)
Metro 3: the report that sealed the project's fate
The Court of Audit (Cour des comptes) published a devastating report on Metro 3, putting the total cost at EUR 4.76 billion -- a +477% overrun compared to initial estimates of less than EUR 1 billion. The report highlights a 15-year delay and concludes that the financial sustainability of the project is "seriously compromised".
It was this report that led the negotiators to suspend the project in favour of a tram along the route originally planned for the metro.
Source: RTBF, "le Metro 3 pulverise par la Cour des comptes", 2026.
STIB: postponed investments
According to the details of the agreement published by DH (13 February 2026), STIB will need to achieve structural savings. Several technical investments are being postponed:
- Fleet replacement tram/metro: plan revised downward
- Metro signalling modernisation: studies postponed
- Bus equipment orders: rescheduled
However, operational resources (day-to-day operations) are maintained at the current level.
Source: DH, "economies a la STIB, vignette auto, amendes LEZ : les details", 13 February 2026.
Shared Mobility and Accessibility
The Region has approximately 15,700 shared vehicles in free-floating (e-scooters and bikes). The Villo! concession (360 stations) expires in September 2026 with no successor identified. Regarding accessibility, 55 of 69 metro stations have lifts, and STIB upgrades 50 stops per year through its Strategic Accessibility Plan (PSMA).
The STIB investment plan, regional Metro 3 arbitrations and new lines were blocked. Metro 3 was suspended for 10 years in its current form (cost: 4.76 bn EUR, +477% overrun).
Read full contextBack to home — 2 March 2026
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