Getting around in Brussels

Traveller's guide

How and when do I validate my transport ticket? How do I change vehicles? What to do if I lose my season ticket? Can I take my bicycle aboard the metro?

Below you will find an answer to all your questions to guide you along your journey.

Day, evening and night lines

Most of our lines run from Monday to Sunday, 5:00 AM to midnight. Some lines however are used in the evenings or on weekends. For more information on our lines, see our network map or timetables. Other lines run only between midnight and three in the morning (see Noctis). Discover also the other companies operating in Brussels (link to Other operators)

Locate the stops

The STIB network has more than 2200 stops. They are easy to locate thanks to the post and sign indicating the line and the destination.

Each stop has the timetable of each line that serves it. For your comfort, some also include a complete map of our network, a display with how long you have to wait in real time, or a map of the neighbourhood.

To avoid yourself having to run after your bus, you are advised to get to the stop 2 to 3 minutes before the time announced on the timetable.

Prepare your change or your ticket

To save time at the stops, have your ticket ready. The points of sale nearest to your stop are indicated in the bottom left-hand corner of the timetables. (More information about the sales outlets)

Validate your card!

Always validate your card and avoid a fine.

• € 107 if you have not validated at the start of your journey your MOBIB card loaded with a season ticket other than a monthly, quarterly or annual season ticket

•  € 214 for a 2nd infraction or more within 24 months after the date of the previous infraction

•  € 408 if you use a forged transport ticket and/or a transport ticket/MOBIB card of someone else

•  € 10 if you forget or do not validate your MOBIB card loaded with a valid season ticket contract; amount to be paid within 10 working days

•  € 107 if you do not pay the above fine within 10 working days

•  € 10 if you do not validate a transport ticket other than a season ticket contract at a connection; amount to be paid within 10 working days

•  € 107 if you do not pay the above fine within 10 working days

Signal to the driver that you wish the bus to stop

Unlike the metro, which stops in every station, trams and buses stop only on request. Please signal to the driver early enough to let him know that you want to get on his vehicle! For obvious safety reasons, our drivers can let you get on and off only at the stops. There is no need to worry, however, as there are many stops, and the average distance between two tram or bus stops is 400 metres.

Request to open the doors

On most vehicles, you control the opening of the doors: either by pulling handles on the doors (metro), or by pressing the green button on the green strip in the middle of the door. Inside trams and buses, indicate to the driver that you will be getting off at the next stop by pressing the blue button. The light above the doors indicates that your request has been registered. The doors will open automatically at the stop. Although they close automatically, the driver checks if everybody has boarded or alighted from the vehicle before he leaves. Warning: The red buttons are alarm signals, and their misuse is punishable by law.

Get on at the front and alight at the back of the bus

The line number and the destination are indicated on the front of the vehicle, and on some vehicles also on the side. Make room for the other passengers by moving to the back of the bus and get off at the rear door(s). To make it easier for other passengers to get on and off, do not remain standing in front of the doors if you are not getting off at the next stop. In our articulated buses, you can board or alight throught the door of your choice. (More information)

Respect the vehicle and the other passengers.

Be polite and give up your seat for disabled people, the elderly, pregnant women and people carrying children. They must also allow such people to board the vehicle first.

Where, when and how to change lines?

Our journey tickets (single fare, 10 journeys, return ticket, etc) offer the possibility to change between lines. This means to pass from one vehicle or station to another. This possibility to connect lines is valid during 60 minutes from the moment of your first validation. If you validate your ticket again after 60 minutes, a new journey will be validated.

Connections can be made between all STIB-MIVB vehicles and stations and those of De Lijn, TEC and SNCB-NMBS (for more information consult our network map) Do not forget to validate your card every time you change lines.

Your MOBIB-card can be used on the entire STIB-MIVB network and is also compatible with other mobility companies in Brussels. More information on www.mobib.be.

The JUMP tickets BRUPASS season tickets allow you to use the services of De Lijn, TEC and NMBS-SNCB in Brussels.

To change lines with your MOBIB-card, simply hold your card before a validating machine and your connection as well as those of the people accompanying you are automatically validated.

Bicycle guide for passengers

Conditions

Cyclists are allowed to bring their bicycles only on board the low-floor metro cars and trams (T2000, T3000 and T4000), thus exclusive of high-floor trams (7700 and 7900) and bus, every day of the year during normal operating hours except for work days (Monday through Friday) between 7 AM and 9 AM and from 4 PM to 6:30 PM, and this as long as doing so does not disturb other passengers.

Exceptions

Folding bicycles, when completely folded, as well as children bicycles are authorised on board the metro cars, trams and bus because they are considered to be packages.

Tandems, bicycles with auxiliary motors (except bicycles with electric pedalling assistance) and bicycles with a trailer are excluded from the present rules and are forbidden on the premises, on metros, trams and bus at all times.

Under-age cyclists who bring their bicycle into a station or bring it onto a metro car or tram do so under the responsibility of their parents or legal guardians. In addition, children under 14 must travel with a person 18 or older.

It is expressly noted that cyclist passengers never have priority over other passengers and that courtesy is a must. In any event, the conductor and station, management and control staff will decide whether a bicycle can be brought on board (notably when the vehicle is too full, since the bicycle can bother other passengers).

Transport ticket

In order to circulate on metro premises and gain access to a metro car or tram, cyclist passengers must be in possession of a valid Ticket as soon as they enter a paying zone. Their bicycle will be transported free of charge.

Conduct in our underground stations

It is strictly forbidden to ride a bicycle on metro premises. Cyclist passengers who want to use the escalators must follow all general safety rules for their use as shown in the pictograms on or near them. Passengers taking an escalator with their bicycle must pay special attention to the following rules:

• They cannot be on their bicycle and must hold at their side
• They must position themselves in such a way as to ensure their stability and that of the bicycle, preferably by holding the escalator handrail with one hand and the bicycle with the other. The wheels of the bicycle must be on the steps; it is forbidden to carry the bicycle
• They must stand in such a way as to keep the bicycle away from walls (notably skirting boards where sensitive equipment is located) and they must be careful how the pedals are positioned with respect to the walls and skirting boards
• As a responsible User, they must make sure that there is enough space - and no other Users nearby - both in front and behind them.

Elevators in certain metro stations are accessible to bicycles if they are of the right size. These elevators have a blue "bicycle" pictogram. In any event, cyclist passengers must give way to other passengers without impeding their movement. Cyclist passengers must enter low-floor metro cars and trams exclusively by the doors indicated with a bicycle pictogram. The maximum number of bicycles allowed simultaneously on the platforms onto which these doors provide access is indicated beside the pictogram. Once on the vehicle, cyclist passengers must hold their bicycle firmly at all times (with the kickstand folded up). If bicycle pictograms are present in the vehicle, they will indicate the place where cyclist passengers must stand with their bicycle.Cyclist passengers will be careful not to impede the opening, by the conductor, of the door leading from the passenger car to the driver's cabin. On trams, cyclist passengers must put their bicycle along the door opposite the one through which they boarded. If the configuration of a stop requires it, they will quickly move away from the door to enable passengers to either board or leave the tram. If need be, they will get off the vehicle with their bicycle for the time it takes passengers to get on or off. In the event that a metro car or tram must be evacuated between two stations, the cyclist passenger must leave their bicycle behind. They can pick up their bicycle on the platform of the nearest station or at the STIB lost and found office after the event.

Civil liability

Cyclist passengers and/or the person who has civil liability for an under-age person commits to responding to any complaints that may be made by another passenger or STIB as a result of bodily or material damage caused by a bicycle. Likewise, cyclist passengers waive all recourse toward STIB, its staff and the Brussels-Capital Region (unless there is wilful representation or serious fault) for any accidents whatsoever that might occur as a result of bicycle use on premises and vehicles managed by STIB.

Equipment for the disabled

Access to the bus network for people in wheelchairs is based on two factors: the use of suitable vehicles and the accessibility level at each stop. Thus, every line cannot be accessed by people in wheelchairs.

Customers must decide for themselves the level of accessibility that meets their needs. STIB evaluates and communicates the accessibility levels of stops to both its customers and its staff. A map of accessible stops is available on the Internet site, in the vehicles and at stops.

Drivers/conductors are not authorized to use their vehicle's special equipment at stops that are designated as inaccessible. The classification method used for stops is available on request.

Bulky parcels & animals

Bulky parcels

You can transport bulky objects in our vehicles, as long as they do not bother the other passengers.

Foldable strollers and bikes can be transported free of charge. They must be folded at busy times.

Again, it is a matter of common sense. Our vehicles are obviously not suitable for transporting a greasy chain saw, nor a 3m ladder...

Pushchairs

You can obviously get on our vehicles with a pushchair. To shed some light and encourage mutual respect:

• Strollers can be transported free of charge. We kindly ask users of a foldable stroller to fold it spontaneously at busy times, out of respect for your fellow traveller

When you are in a vehicle with your pushchair, stand to the side, so that other users can pass through. Some platforms are designed to accommodate pushchairs.

On our older trams (those with steps) you can board with your pushchair:

• „„ if it has a maximal width of 55 cm
• „„ through the left side of the doors at the front of the vehicule or the right side when you are on a central platform.
  
  

Animals

Some dogs can travel free of charge:

• Small dogs that can be held on one's lap, without inconveniencing the other passengers;
• Guide dogs for the blind;
• Police dogs.

A ticket is needed for all other dogs, and the bigger ones must wear a muzzle, except guide dogs. All dogs must be kept on a leash and dogs potentially dangerous to passengers must wear a muzzle, with the exception of assistance dogs. 

Beware!

On the network, in STIB stations and vehicles, it is prohibited to:

1. damage or make improper use of the infrastructure, facilities or rolling stock;
2. block or wilfully slow down the rolling stock, enter or exit vehicles during or after the audio warning that the doors are closing;
3. place signals or any other object on the tracks, particularly material or waste;
4. touch or imitate the signals or obstruct their visibility;
5. touch the cabling or electrical installations;
6. build crossings on the rails giving access to residential buildings, unless this installation does not interfere with the movement of rail vehicles at any point outside;
7. be in a vehicle or controlled area as defined in the Decree of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region of 13 December 2007 establishing certain operating conditions for public transport in the Brussels-Capital Region, without being in possession of a valid transport ticket;
8. be in the service offices and at any location where the prohibition is indicated by a notice, without permission;
9. play or distribute music without the Company's authorisation;
10. beg, hawk or conduct any other activity without the Company's authorisation;
11. smoke;
12. use the emergency control for the doors when the vehicle is moving and in the absence of an emergency;
13. abuse the emergency alarm;
14. place any object that may obstruct free movement;
15. activate the escalator or lift stop unnecessarily;
16. throw or drop any object that could:
    • injure or scare
    • soil
17. spit or defecate;
18. be in possession or make use of dangerous objects or packages which, by their size, nature or smell may:
    • injure or expose to danger;
    • soil, disturb or inconvenience people;
19. 19. disturb the peace or disturb or upset the people present:
    • by being in an obviously intoxicated state;
    • by being in an obviously unclean state;
    • through unwanted physical contact;
    • through offensive, immoral or threatening words or actions;
    • by using mobility scooters, with the exception of those used by people with reduced mobility;
    • by disrupting people boarding or disembarking;
    • by preventing access and exit to/from the infrastructure exits or escalators;
    • by consuming food;
20. soil the infrastructure, facilities or rolling stock;
21. lean on or climb over fences and security signs, or climb onto or hold on to the vehicles.

Synthesis transport rules

At all times and without compensation, users must comply with any change (fare or otherwise) to their current transport ticket as well as any change to the STIB offer or more generally to the conditions for accessing and using the public transport service, and this following a decision made by the competent authority or body in respect of the regulations in force. Users must validate their transport ticket prior to every journey. At above-ground stops, the transport ticket must be validated every time the user boards or connects to a bus or tram. In underground metro and pre-metro stations, users must validate their transport tickets in the inspection areas. Users must present their transport tickets on request to a member of STIB's inspection staff acting in the course of their duties. Users in possession of a personalised MOBIB card must prove their identity on request to any member of STIB's inspection staff acting in the course of their duties.