Brussels metro map

Brussels metro map 2009.
The Brussels metro is the backbone of public transport in the Brussels-Capital Region. Since its opening in 1976, the metro network has extended over a length of 40 kilometers spread over four lines with a total of 59 or 60 stations (depending on whether Elisabeth and Simonis are considered the same station or not). The metro network consists of two baselines, a circular line and an east-west line passing through the center, and four radials, each connected to one of the two baselines. With an average distance between stations of less than 700 meters, the network is fairly finely meshed.

The metro, like the city buses and trams, is operated by the STIB (Société des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles). In addition to the metro network, there are still several pre-metro lines in the city. The current pre-metro lines were built to run underground trams before eventually being converted to heavy metro.

The Brussels metro is used daily by 450,000 people, making it the most used metro network in the Benelux. The Brussels metro occupies the 61st place (including the pre-metro) of the longest metros in the world. For the largest number of stations in the world, the metro ranks 26th.

Lines 1 and 5 (formerly 1A and 1B) cross the region from west to east and share a common section under the city center, which ensures high frequency (3 minute intervals during rush hour). Lines 1 and 5 separate at the ends of the common section. Line 2 surrounds the city center by a route that loops at Simonis station. This route was inaugurated in 2009, and is duplicated by line 6, which then extends to the north.

The metro network includes 59 or 60 metro stations (depending on whether or not Elisabeth and Simonis are considered the same station) and 10 pre-metro stations (line 3). The classic Brussels metro station is underground and has two tracks flanked by two platforms 3 to 5 meters wide. Some stations derogate from this provision; they have a single central platform surrounded by two tracks (eg Clemenceau station). Finally, the North-South pre-metro lines in the city center (from Anneessens to Rogier) have three platforms: a central one intended in principle for boarding, and two side ones for disembarking (these roles are not always respected by users ).