Record number of travelers on STIB network in 2021 | Brussels
BrusselsOn Wednesday, STIB presented its 2021 annual report and future projects. For example, the Brussels transport company achieved a record number of travelers and kilometer production. They also drafted new lines and vehicles for it.
A total of 273.8 million will use the STIB network in 2021. That is an increase of 12 percent compared to 2020, and a whopping 64 percent compared to 2019. “We see that our buses, trams and metros are filling people back up ”, says Brieuc de Meeûs, CEO of STIB. “There is an increasing environmental awareness, and public transport is used more often during the weekend for shopping and leisure.”
2021 was also a record year for the kilometer production of the Brussels transport company. The STIB’s aircraft travel 50.6 kilometers, good for a million increase of 9.7 percent over the previous year. “That was possible thanks to the new bus lines, the extension of tram 9 to King Baudouin and the arrival of new buses and metro trains,” says STIB.
Refresh
In addition, other innovations are also on the agenda. A planning application has been submitted for the future tram line 10 to Neder-Over-Heembeek, and the Brussels government has determined the route of the future tram line Thurn & Taxis. The stations also got a makeover. De Brouckère and Clemenceau stations have been completely refurbished, and the Roodebeek has also been fitted with new lifts, indications for the visually impaired and toilets accessible to people with disabilities.
STIB will also purchase more M7 trams and impose new specifications for new electric buses. This ensures that the frequency on the lines can be increased. From September, travelers will be able to take the metro every 10 minutes until the end of the timetable. The most used bus line, bus 71, will leave every four minutes.
Happy travelers
And the STIB also wants to do better in sustainability. The diesel buses will be replaced by hybrid and fully electric devices, and extra attention will be paid to the environment when new infrastructure is built. All this means that satisfaction remains below the stable level, with a score of 7.3 out of ten.
“It is important to continue to develop in public transport, to attract new customers, to make the city more and more livable and pleasant to live in, and the designs of 2021 are so many steps in that direction”, Merlin Erbuer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of STIB.
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