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.

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Prepare your change or your ticket

To save time at the stops, have your ticket ready. Only a 1-journey ticket is available in the trams and buses. In an effort to promote advance sales and thus save time at the stops, this ticket will cost you less if you buy it elsewhere than on the vehicle. 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)

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If you need to purchase your ticket from our driver, then have the exact amount ready.

If you have to buy a ticket from the driver, please prepare the precise amount if possible. The driver is not required to change more than €5.

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Validate your card!

Your MOBIB card must be validated each time you get on a tram or a bus or when you enter a metro station. Not validating your ticket counts as an infraction. If you cannot produce a ticket when asked, you will be liable for a fine. You also need to validate your ticket when changing lines. The 24, 48 or 72 hours tickets also need to be validated everytime you board a vehicle or enter a station. Keep your ticket with you because you can be asked to present it until the moment you leave the station or vehicle. Not validating counts as an infraction.

• 10€ if you forget or do not validate your MOBIB-card with a valid ticket. Payment is due in 10 working days.
• 107€ if the fine has not been paid in 10 working days.
• 107€ if you are not in possession of a ticket if it is a first violation.
• 214€ from the second violation.
• 408€ in case of a falsified ticket or the use of a ticket that belongs to someone else.

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Arrêté du Gouvernement de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale (PDF 3 Mb)

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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.

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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.

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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. Get on the bus at the front door and show your ticket to the driver. If you do not have a ticket, you can buy one from the driver. Then, 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. (Plus d'informations)

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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 MTB 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 on board low-floor metro cars and trams (T2000, T3000 and T4000) every day of the year during normal operating hours, as long as doing so does not disturb other passengers. However, bicycles are strictly forbidden on metro cars and trams on work days (Monday through Friday) between 7 AM and 9 AM and from 4 PM to 6:30 PM.

Exceptions

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 and on metros and trams 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. When completely folded, folding bicycles are not included in the present rules because they are considered to be packages. 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.