Brussels has the world’s first all-electric fleet of sightseeing buses
In 2020, STIB aims to manage the hop-on-hop-off principles (according to the hop-on-hop-off principle) to Tootbus, the sightseeing do of RATP Dev, with a view to a launch in 2021. The Brussels tourist buses have been at a standstill for a while due to the pandemic, but are picking up again. RATP Dev and STIB are packing the world’s first fully electric fleet of sightseeing buses.
An answer to tourist and ecological needs
After more than a year of recovery, the STIB (Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company) started its tourist bus service. Its operation was entrusted in 2020 to the company Tootbus Brussels, a do division of RATP Dev, with a view to a launch in 2021.
Rudi Vervoort, Prime Minister of the Brussels-Capital Region, is delighted. This new offer, which is also environmentally friendly, will add to a wide and diversified range of activities in Brussels and will offer visitors the opportunity to discover our beautiful capital region through a tour through the different neighborhoods.”
“The people of Brussels are proud to be the first to take the fully electric versions of the iconic Hop on Hop off buses. Everyone will therefore be able to (re)visit our beautiful region in an environmentally friendly and quiet bus,” said Minister of Mobility, Elke Van den Brandt.
“This restart is a response to two needs: to ensure the return of tourists to Brussels. And with this, we are starting to take a step forward in our ecological commitment, wants to start this world with us as the first sightseeing activity,” said Brieuc de Meeûs, CEO of the electric fleet.
The return of tourist buses to the streets of Brussels and the opening of the annual Winter Fun Christmas Market clearly show that the inner-city region is eager to welcome tourists from their own country and beyond. “We are pleased that the different neighborhoods of Brussels can now be explored again through a more sustainable bus system. We have set ourselves the goal of allowing tourists to discover the entire Brussels-Capital Region and Tootbus is an excellent way to do that”, Patrick Bontinck, CEO of visit.brussels.
This winter, two electric buses will develop two routes to discover the city’s main attractions. In the summer of 2022 (but to be considered in function of the health situation) it will be expanded to six buses. If demand is high, the number can be expanded.
A breath of fresh air for Brussels tourism
“We want to be more than just a ‘carrier’. We want to create something for our travelers. Our offer revolves around an immersive and physical experience of the city. ‘Don’t let the city pass you by’, that is the ambition that Coralie Triadou, director of Tootbus Brussels, and her teams want to realize every day for both tourists and residents of Brussels”, says Arnaud Masson, executive director of Sightseeing of RATP Dev.
This desire to breathe new life into Brussels is apparent, for example, from the new audio guides, which now also include a section especially for children. Brussels is represented in the city by newcomers, making it seem like you are discovering the city with friends. The lyrics were written and narrated by native speakers of each language and offer a unique cultural perspective for each nationality. They will be available in 6 and later in 10 languages.
Tootbus is also a new online platform, with mobile services and an app. You can track the route of the buses live, receive podcasts and you will find a wealth of information about the sights. The Tootbus journey of discovery in Brussels will be a dangerous digital experience where everything will be done via smartphone, from ordering and e-tickets to the app that guides travelers on board the bus.