A high-performing company

STIB aims to be a high-performing company. It wants to deliver a quality service that meets customer expectations. To do this, it manages its (human and financial) resources carefully and attentively and ensures it has the tools and resources it needs to continue promoting mobility in Brussels.

Financial resources

Revenue

With a total of 215.8 million euros in 2018, the net revenue from traffic increased by 3.4% compared with the previous year. Prices have not been raised, but ticket sales have increased in volume. Subscriptions at preferential tariffs have increased the most (28%). Rental income increased by 10% thanks to the new occupancy agreements with shops in stations. Miscellaneous revenue (revenue from surcharges, recoveries on claims, etc.) increased by 31%. Advertising revenue dropped slightly (by 1%) following the revision of the ethical charter, which has become more restrictive.

Expenditure

In 2018, the business's operating expenses were €587.8 million. Salary costs (€458.2 million) were slightly up on 2017 following the increase in the workforce and the indexing of salaries. 2018 was characterised by a major reversal of provision following the conclusion of agreements on various disputes on ongoing projects, and a decrease in pre-retirement provisions.

Coverage ratio

STIB monitors the development of its "ESA" coverage ratio, calculated using the method recommended by the Institute of National Accounts. This ratio does not take into account expense and income items. In 2018, the coverage ratio of the company's expenses from its own income, excluding subsidies, reached 40.2%. Since 2014, the annual allocation that enables STIB to improve its transport offer has been considered a subsidy, not a transport service remuneration. It is therefore excluded from the calculation. Consequently, this has a downward impact on the coverage ratio as spending has increased at a faster rate than the traffic revenues, which do not cover all the transport costs.

Investments

Almost
340 million euros
invested in 2018

Developing infrastructures

In 2018, STIB invested almost 340 million euros in developing its network. And it will not stop there. STIB passengers are constantly increasing in number. The city is growing and travel habits are changing with it. This means that STIB must constantly adapt its transport offer. To allow STIB to build the network of the future (denser, more efficient and even more accessible), the Brussels-Capital Region Government approved STIB's public transport development plan for the years 2019-2028. This ambitious plan provides for 6.2 billion in investments for new tram lines, an extension to the metro, the purchase of additional vehicles, the construction of depots, etc.

Opening of tram line 9

On 1 September, King Philippe made the inaugural journey on the new tram line 9, in north-west Brussels. The new line runs entirely on dedicated lanes with the most modern low-floor trams and connects the Simonis intermodal hub with the Arbre Ballon terminus, via UZ Brussel university hospital. It has 10 stops and serves new districts, optimising the transport offer in this part of the city. It also provides easy access to the commercial heart of Jette, the many schools near its route and the Cité Modèle. There are already plans to extend the line to Heysel plateau, where a joint multimodal centre will be created for lines 3 and 7. This will facilitate connections between the 3 lines, creating a real bypass in the north of the city. The line extension work started in February 2019.www.tram9.brussels

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Opening of extended tram line 8

At the end of September, the extension of tram line 8, the former line 94, became a reality. Its route follows the completely redeveloped Boulevard de la Woluwe beyond the Tram Museum to Roodebeek metro station. The 2 km long new section runs entirely on dedicated lanes and serves 4 new stops: Parc des Sources, Voot, Woluwe Shopping and Roodebeek. This new terminus has a central platform, which gives direct access to the metro, allowing direct connections with line 1 (Stockel-Gare de l’Ouest) as well as with STIB, Tec and De Lijn buses. Roodebeek thus becomes a real multimodal communications hub. Line 8, which runs almost entirely on dedicated lanes, connects Louise to Roodebeek via Avenue Louise, the ULB, Boondael and Boitsfort stations, Herrmann-Debroux station and the Tram Museum, forming a large bypass to the east of Brussels. A new line extension towards Avenue Marcel Thiry is currently being planned.

The Bus Masterplan is approved

In the spring, the Brussels Government approved the new STIB Bus Masterplan. This major overhaul of the bus network, the largest for 30 years, involves the reorganisation of almost two thirds of the lines. Of the 49 bus lines that currently make up the network, 30 lines will have at least one route change, 5 new lines will be created, 1 line will be removed and 18 lines will remain unchanged. This Plan will be deployed in phases and will be completed in 2021. It is dependent on the progressive delivery of new electric and hybrid buses. The objectives of the new Plan are to provide greater capacity in the busiest parts of the bus network, increase frequencies, serve new districts, zones and important sites, develop new direct links and new intra-municipal services and reduce connections and waiting times..www.stib-mivbbusplan.be

The first steps of the Bus Masterplan

The implementation of the plan began in 2018 with:the operation of the brand new fully electric line 33 which has served the hyper-centre since Junethe restructuring of lines 13, 14, 15, 53 and 84 following the commissioning of the new tram line 9the termination of line 42 at Roodebeek, following the extension of tram line 8 to Roodebeekthe extension of line 20 from Etangs Noirs to Gare du Nordthe commissioning of standard electric buses on line 13.

New 100% electric bus line

In June, STIB inaugurated bus line 33, the first 100% electric bus line. It serves Brussels hyper-centre, whilst providing a direct link between the upper and lower parts of the city, crossing the Pentagon from east to west. The line is 6 km long (3.5 km from Dansaert to Louise and 2.5 km from Louise to Dansaert) and has 13 stops, with a bus every 20 minutes. The full route from terminus to terminus takes between 12 and 20 minutes, depending on the traffic. The line runs every day, from 7.30 am to 11.30 pm. It is operated by 7 Citybuses, which are fully electric midibuses with a capacity of 42 places. They are shorter than standard buses, but their size allows them to slot into the traffic on the narrow city-centre streets. The arrival of these electric midibuses marked the start of the energy transition in the STIB fleet as it moves towards being 100% electric.

Metro M3: permit issued for Albert

In August, the Brussels-Capital Region issued the urban planning permit for the transformation of Albert pre-metro station into a new multimodal station for tram and metro. Albert station is currently used by lines 3, 4 and 51. By 2023, it will become the south terminus of the future metro line 3, which will link Albert to Bordet, via the city centre. The creation of this new line will allow STIB to meet the ever-growing need for public transport in the north of the region and offer greater capacity on the north-south line, which has reached saturation point. The current north-south pre-metro line will be converted into a metro line and the tunnel extended by more than 4 km beyond the Gare du Nord to Bordet. 7 new metro stations will be created. The commissioning of the first section between Albert and Gare du Nord will allow more direct, regular and comfortable connections between the Albert district in Forest and the city centre. The metro between Albert and Gare du Nord will increase the capacity of the north-south line by 50%, or almost 10,000 passengers an hour.www.metro3.be

New lease of life for the East-West line

The east-west metro line was commissioned more than 40 years ago. This is why STIB has launched a major modernisation programme, so that it can continue to carry the constant influx of passengers, whilst guaranteeing the security of the transport system. In 2018, STIB continued its preparatory work for the installation of the new safety signals on lines 1 and 5. These new signals will make it possible to increase train frequency - currently 2 minutes 30 on lines 1 and 5 in rush hour – and eventually double the metro's capacity. The commissioning of the new signage on the first section of lines 1 and 5 is scheduled for 2020. STIB also installed a new track switch between Merode and Montgomery stations. This new track switch will ultimately facilitate diversions in the event of an incident on the network.

Increasing frequencies
on lines 1 and 52 min 302 min1 min 30

Machined tracks: 45 kmtracks treated with
- anti-vibration cover: 2.83 km
- covered rails: 9.69 km

Network maintenance

STIB is investing not only in work to extend and improve its transport services, but also in maintaining its existing infrastructures. There were several worksites to update tram lines in 2018. These are essential to ensure that the network remains safe. Current laying techniques - rubber coated rails laid on floating slab - also improve comfort for local residents when the trams pass through. In most cases, these works are an opportunity to enhance the surrounding public spaces through a complete redevelopment of the area.

Track replacement

In 2018, STIB renovated the tram tracks on Chaussée d’Alsemberg between Globe and Calevoet in Uccle. The pavements were also redeveloped at the same time. Tram tracks were renovated around the De Wand complex, in Laeken. STIB completed the work on the tracks on Rue de Fiennes, in Anderlecht. In Ixelles, after the redevelopment of the tracks and road on Rue Lesbroussart, STIB redeveloped the parking areas, pavements, tram stops and cycle paths. The redevelopment of the roads is an opportunity, that is always taken, to improve accessibility and refurbish public spaces. During all the major works, STIB continued its work to keep residents and traders informed and to support its customers.

More fluid public transport

In 2018, STIB and Brussels Mobility carried out development work to improve the fluidity of public transport. Bus lanes were created on Avenue de la Liberté, in Koekelberg, and the central embankment was completely redeveloped. This has improved journey time of bus 20 by a good minute. In the City of Brussels, the redevelopment of Avenue de la Forêt, which is currently being completed, has already led to an improvement in the journey time for tram 8. Following the redevelopment of Chaussée d’Ixelles, a distinct improvement was noted in the regularity and commercial speed of lines 54 and 71, although the authorised speed is limited as the space is shared, during the period when buses were able to travel (they are currently being diverted from their route due to the work on Place Fernand Cocq). 272 crossroads were using the remote operation system for the signal lights at the end of 2018, which will improve the punctuality and regularity of buses and trams.

STIB updates and extends its fleet

In 2018, the energy transition of the STIB bus fleet, which began in 2017 with the ordering of hybrid and electric buses, saw the progressive arrival on the network of 7 fully electric Solaris midibuses (intended for the new line 33), 5 fully electric standard Bluebuses (used on line 13) and 79 Volvo hybrid electric standard buses out of the 110 ordered. These will be added to the fleet but will also replace the older, more polluting vehicles. The STIB Board of Directors also appointed Iveco to supply 141 articulated electric hybrid buses. They are due to be delivered in 2019, as are the 25 Solaris fully electric articulated buses ordered in 2017. The STIB Board of Directors chose Bombardier to build its new trams. The framework agreement was for around 175 trams, with an initial firm order for 60 vehicles, expected to be delivered in spring 2020.

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The model of the M7 metro on display

The Brussels metro will change its image over the next few years, with the arrival of the future line 3 towards the north of the city and the increase in service frequency on existing lines. To provide these additional services, STIB has ordered additional vehicles from the Spanish company Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF). The first order is for the delivery of 43 M7 metro trains. These new trains will progressively arrive on the network in 2020. In January, visitors to the #We Are Mobility exhibition, organised on the fringes of the Motor show, were able to discover the full-sized model of the future M7 train, divided into 3 parts: a passenger compartment, with a mix of different configurations (longitudinal and transverse seats), a driver's cabin and the tip of the vehicle without a driver's cabin, which is how the automated version will eventually look. The model was also exhibited at the Tram Museum from April to September.

New depots are opening

With the arrival of new vehicles, STIB must adapt its storage and maintenance facilities and build new depots. In 2018, it officially opened the new Marconi tram depot, located at the border of Uccle, Forest and Drogenbos. It was built in accordance with environmental regulations and is now fully operational. The depot can accommodate 75 trams and 10 trams can undergo maintenance at the same time. The construction of the new Erasme metro depot is underway in Anderlecht. The majority of this future depot is underground. It will be located next to Erasme station and will allow the storage of 23 trains and the maintenance of 7 vehicles at the same time. Construction will be completed in the second half of 2019. In autumn 2018, STIB also began construction of the new Marly bus depot, in Neder-over-Heembeek. This will be first STIB depot fully adapted for electric vehicles. Unlike diesel buses, electric buses cannot be moved around the depot as they have to remain connected to recharge. Electric buses also require a larger storage facility (bus, charger and sub-station).

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The STIB adapts its existing depots

The work to extend the metro depot started on the Delta site in early 2018, with the demolition of the former walkway connecting the front of the site to the back. The construction of a new walkway began in the autumn. It will join the building intended to house the new signal system, as part of the modernisation of the metro. In Haren, the development of a new bus training track almost twice as big as the previous one, will allow more training to be organised; this will allow STIB to handle the increased number of drivers in the context of the new bus masterplan. The construction of 2 new parking areas - one for 25 articulated buses and the other for 60 articulated buses - offers new storage facilities that will make it possible to cope with the significant increase in the number of articulated buses in STIB's bus fleet. Work to install electric charging by pantograph also started on the Haren site (and at Porte de Namur) for the future Solaris articulated buses, expected to arrive in 2019.

Station renovations

Work to renovate the Bourse – De Brouckère (pre-)metro stations continued in 2018. The aim is to improve the comfort of STIB passengers. The focus is on accessibility, safety, lighting and cleanliness. Both stations will also be equipped with large, secure bicycle parking areas. Brussels Mobility is responsible for the underground work in both cases, while Beliris will take care of the surface work (the redevelopment of the central boulevards). In spring 2018, STIB and Brussels Mobility began work on Clemenceau metro station, with a view to improving accessibility, particularly for persons with reduced mobility. The work is scheduled to finish in autumn 2019. Work was also carried out in Vandervelde and Alma stations, also with a view to improving their accessibility.

The metro gains a work of art

The Brussels metro is considered a real underground art gallery, with more than 90 works of art dotted around its stations. A new work was added to its collection in May. "Sol/Grond", created by Quebec artist Patrick Bernatchez, was inaugurated in Trône station. This came one year after the inauguration of a work by a Brussels artist in Place-d'Armes station in Montreal. This cultural exchange marked the 40th anniversary of the Brussels Metro and the 50th anniversary of the Montreal Metro. In November 2018, Alma station became the first protected metro station in Brussels. The Government of the Brussels-Capital Region wants to preserve the "La Mémé" site, a series of buildings constructed by the Atelier Simone et Lucien Kroll in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, and launched a procedure to include it on the Safeguarding list. Alma station is part of this unique structure decorated by Simone Kroll and built in tribute to Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí.www.stibstories.be

The commercial offer in stations

STIB is continuing to commercialise the spaces available in its metro stations. It plans to offer passengers a wide range of relevant services as they travel through its infrastructures. 6 new shops opened their doors in the Brussels metro in 2018. There are now 6,200 m2 of commercial space divided into 70 shops. They offer a varied range of products such as a bakery, minimarket, fish bars, juice bars and cafes, card shops and female accessories. During the customer satisfaction survey of 1,000 passengers carried out in December 2018, 9/10 people thought that the commercial offering met their needs. And 8/10 people stated that the presence of shops improved their travel experience and the feeling of safety in stations.

6 new shops
opened in 2018A total of
6,200 m2 divided
between 70 shops

The service quality

100% of services certified

STIB has obtained CEN certification for its service quality for the fourth year in a row. The 4 metro lines, 18 tram lines and 49 bus lines have been certified, as have 12 sales outlets (BOOTIK and KIOSK), Customer Services and the Inspection of Transport Tickets service.

Quality initiatives

Quality initiatives are annual projects that the STIB implements primarily to benefit passengers.In 2018, the quality initiatives were based around improving:the feeling of safety (safety in the driving of the tram and bus, passenger safety when the bus brakes, etc.)passenger information (information for PRM on the dynamic network map, very short-term disruptions, diagrams of bus lines, etc.)accessibility (lift signals, getting on and off the bus for PRM, tram accessibility for PRM, etc.).