Environmental commitment

Increasingly clean vehicles

STIB is continuing to replace and expand its fleet. In 2018, the energy transition of its bus fleet saw the arrival on the network of the first fully electric and hybrid electric buses. This change makes travelling on public transport even more ecological. It also represents an additional step towards improving air quality in Brussels, and thus contributing to the well-being of all its residents. Trams and metros are powered by electricity and as a result do not directly produce any polluting emissions. Furthermore, STIB gets its energy from a supplier which is asked to prove - through Guarantee of Origin certificates - that it produces or purchases renewable electricity in quantities equivalent to its consumption.

A greener business

STIB's objective is to obtain ISO 14001 certification for all its activities. This objective was achieved in 2017 and confirmed by the follow-up audit in 2018. ISO 14001 certification aims to encourage companies to control the impact of their activities on the environment and demonstrate the effectiveness of both the management systems and the continuous improvement of their environmental procedures, in a way that respects legal provision and takes into account the context and stakeholders. In 2018, STIB continued its work to reduce the ecological footprint of each of its activities. The initiatives involved the regular coaching of local officers to embed their operational skills, the continuation of the programme to renovate the boilers and lighting (LED), the improvement of the database of chemical products and their health and safety data sheets, the activation of new maintenance contracts that include energy performance levels, the formalisation of the STIB eco-construction frame of reference that includes the minimum requirements for construction and renovation projects and the organisation of information stands on mobility and training in cycling in urban environments for employees.

Energy performance

In its 2013-2017 Management Contract, STIB undertook to reduce its direct energy consumption for the period 2013-2017 by 8.5% compared to 2010, excluding changes in activity. STIB is repeating this goal of an 8.5% reduction for the next 5 years. The energy indicator represents the development of STIB's energy performances compared with the 2010 situation, all other things being equal. Energy efficiency is calculated in 5 areas: bus, tram, metro, electricity and fuel for infrastructures. The overall performance of STIB is calculated by adding the gains in each area in proportion to its contribution to the total consumption. Between 2010 and 2018, STIB's energy performance increased by 14%.

Societal engagement

500 actions carried out

Although STIB's primary objective is to achieve its mission as a transporter by offering an increasingly high standard of accessible public transport, it also has to deal with a number of societal issues on a daily basis. As a responsible business, STIB attempts to deal with these issues and has formed specialised partnerships over the last few years, particularly with stakeholders from associations. It carries out a range of actions targeting different sections of the public, including people living rough or in precarious situations, young people of school age and people with reduced mobility. In 2018, almost 500 actions were carried out thanks to the involvement of internal employees and more than 20 external partners, with awareness campaigns adapted to the different target publics.

Meeting schools

The organisation of campaigns aimed at 10 to 18 year olds in schools remains a key way of making children and teenagers aware of the importance and role of public transport. The "Responsible Young Passengers" (RYP) campaign encourages children to give their co-students an example of responsible and good citizen behaviour while travelling on public transport. For 2018-2019, a new project aimed at all secondary classes in schools in the Brussels Region was launched with a new partner (the non-profit association GoodPlanet). Ten classes are taking part in this action. The "Bougeons Malin" (Smart Move) campaign, in collaboration with the non-profit organisation Promo Jeunes, ended in May 2018. A new project was also launched with GoodPlanet for the 2018-2019 school year. Its aim is to raise awareness among students so that they adopt responsible and good citizen behaviour in public transport. The 2018-2019 event is open to students in years 5 and 6 of primary school and includes 61 classes and 1,250 participants. School-children and students also came to see behind-the-scenes during visits organised by the public relations unit. They are getting to know more about STIB. 46 school visits were organised in 2018.

Combating incivility

STIB is working closely with local associations to allow the positive reappropriation of spaces and to combat incivility and vandalism in and around stations. In Anderlecht, STIB is working with the non-profit association SAFA, which works in the areas around Aumale and Saint-Guidon stations, and with the non-profit Centrum West in the area around Etangs Noirs station in Molenbeek. In 2018, the young people from these two non-profit organisations were involved in cleaning the two stations during the "White Tornado" operations, together with STIB cleaning agents and employees. At Aumale, the young people also created a new wall decoration in the station. This colourful photo-montage represents living together in the district and is intended to be a pleasant anchor and meeting point for residents. A new Living Together bus, a new tool for raising awareness of security and citizenship on the STIB network, went out to meet clients and other target groups (schools, associations, etc.) and promote better living together. It made 37 excursions in 2018.

STIB champions the disadvantaged

STIB continued its collaboration with Opération Thermos in 2018. This association has been responsible for producing and distributing hot meals for vulnerable people from 1 November through 30 April for the last 30 years. STIB volunteers organised several help-the-homeless evenings, from preparing meals to distributing them and also transporting volunteers and food to the distribution point. In 2018, 300 STIB volunteers worked 31 evenings and served 3,500 meals. A photo exhibition at Botanique station, where the meals were distributed, marks the 30th anniversary of Opération Thermos. At the same time, STIB strengthened its collaboration with stakeholders from the social sector, so they can meet the most disadvantaged people on the network and direct them towards the appropriate external structures. While continuing its collaboration with the associations Infirmiers de Rue, Bij Ons-Chez Nous and Médecins du Monde, it launched a new partnership with Dune and Transit, organising patrols, supporting and training field agents, increasing the frequency of the Médibus around stations and other actions to help drug-addicts and the homeless.

Network accessibility

Making the network accessible to all citizens is one of the objectives of the Brussels public transport company. STIB is working closely with the Brussels-Capital Region and with the community sector to achieve this. In 2018, 10 additional bus lines joined the AccessiBus network. This takes to 16 the number of lines now displaying information regarding the level of accessibility of each stop: the drivers have been trained in welcoming people in wheelchairs, the infrastructure has been checked throughout the route, the signage at all stops has been adapted and particular attention has been paid to the vehicles' access ramps. The new tram 9 line opened in 2018 and signalled a change in the way accessibility is considered. In practice, the space between the platforms and the trams has been significantly reduced and vehicles have been adapted with the autonomy of wheelchair travellers in mind. The multi-functional areas planned for the future new M7 metros have also been analysed and improved thanks to cooperation with associations. This particularly involves providing greater safety and comfort for wheelchair passengers.

TaxiBus celebrates its 40th anniversary and its success

In May 2018, TaxiBus, STIB's public transport service for people with reduced mobility, celebrated its 40th anniversary. This door-to-door and on demand service is available from Monday to Saturday from 5 am to 1 am. It is increasingly efficient and enjoyed by users. TaxiBus has crossed a historic threshold, with 108,596 journeys organised in 2018. The number of passengers using the service has also increased. It now reaches almost 20% of its target public compared with just 2.6% before the 2014 reform. In total, within STIB, a team of around 35 people - 20 drivers plus managerial and support staff - support these travellers with specific needs and ensure that their journeys run smoothly. STIB has also concluded a partnership with Brussels' taxis, with which it manages some of the journeys.

Economic commitment

Participating in investments

The Drive Programme