Public
Transport
The integrated bus, overground and underground (prémétro)
tram and métro network is operated by Société
des Transports Intercommunaux Bruxellois, known as STIB
(telephone number: (02) 515 2000). The system operates daily 0600–2400
hrs, and the information line is manned from Monday to Friday 0800–1900
hrs and Saturday 0800–1600 hrs. Although efficient and clean,
the network is not without some problems – plans to replace
the underground trams with an extended métro system have
yet to materialise. However, recent improvements include the addition
of lifts for handicapped passengers at Maelbeek, De Brouckère
and Gare-Centrale stations. STIB information points
are located at Porte de Namur, Rogier and Midi
métro stations, as well as at the Anspach Shopping Centre,
rue de l’Evêque.
Above ground, the métro is identified by signs bearing a
white ‘M’ on a blue background. Many stations display
the works of local artists and métro seats are comfortable
– the service is quite pleasant even during rush hour (0730–0930
hrs and 1600–1830 hrs). Métro lines 1A
and 1B form a giant ‘H’ shape. Métro
line IA runs northwest to southeast, from Roi Baudouin
to Herrmann-Debroux. Line 1B runs southwest to
northeast, from Bizet to Stockel. Lines 1A and
1B join in the middle, running along the same lines
from Beekhant to Merode, to serve the central part of the city.
The incomplete circle of line 2, from Simonis to Clemenceau and
follows the inner ring road underground.
Tram
and bus stops are indicated by red and white signs
respectively. The route number and destination are displayed on
the front of the vehicles and all stops are request stops. Brussels’
bright yellow and blue trams serve the city centre and suburbs.
The prémétro runs south, underneath the heart of the
city from Gare du Nord, stopping at Place de Brouckère and
Bourse, and Bruxelles-Midi (Eurostar terminal)with some services
running on to St-Gilles and Albert.
Tickets
Tickets for the transport network are available for purchase at
métro stations and newsagents. The tourist reception desk
at Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes 63, and at the TIB
at the Town Hall in Grand-Place sell day transport tickets and give
out free maps of the network – also available at most métro
stations. Tickets must be stamped at the métro ticket barrier,
either prior to or upon boarding the bus or tram. Bus and overground
tram tickets may also be purchased prior to or upon board the vehicle
and exact change is required for the tram). Once purchased, the
ticket is valid for any form of public transport, including changes.
One-hour tickets (la carte d’une voyage) cost €1.40,
while 10 (hour-long) journey tickets (la carte de dix voyages) cost
€9. A 1-day pass (la carte d’un jour) costs €3.60
and is valid for 2 persons at weekends and holidays. A 1-day group
card (maximum 5 persons) is available for €5.95 and is valid
at weekends, holidays and after 0900 hrs on weekdays.
Trains
Some nine billion Euros are being pumped into the Belgian
National Railways – SNCB/NMBS (telephone number: (02)
528 2828), in a 10-year modernisation plan due for completion in
2005. The service is fast and efficient. Brussels has 3 major railway
stations in Brussels – Bruxelles-Central,
located in the heart of the city, Bruxelles-Nord,
to the north of the main ring road, and Bruxelles-Midi,
to the south. They share a rail enquiries line (telephone number:
(02) 555 2555). These three stations have bars, refreshments and
disabled access, while Bruxelles-Midi and Bruxelles-Nord both have
car parks.
Most domestic trains stop at all three stations. Eurostar
trains (telephone number: (02) 528 2828) from London and Thalys
express trains (telephone number: (070) 667 788) from Aachen,
Amsterdam, Cologne and Paris stop at Bruxelles-Midi, the TGV
(High-Speed Train) terminal.
Links to Paris with a journey time of 1 hour 30 minutes and London
with a journey time of 2 hours 40 minutes are fast and efficient.
Taxis
Autolux
(telephone number: (02) 411 1221) are the official taxis located
in Brussels. These are marked with a blue and yellow plaque and
travel from Brussels Airport to the required destination
in the city.
In central Brussels, taxis are available at centrally located ranks
at the major railway stations and at the Bourse,
Place de Brouckère and Porte de
Namur. Radio taxi companies are available to order by telephone.
These include Taxis Verts (telephone number: (02)
349 4949), Taxis Orange (telephone number: (02)
349 4343) and Taxis Bleus (telephone: (02) 268
0000).
Limousines
Ganax, Brugstraat 24, 1930 Zaventem, (telephone
number: (02) 720 4167; fax number: (02) 720 4695), located near
the airport, offers a limousine service. Hire for 1 day, including
a trilingual chauffeur/driver, costs from €430.
Driving
in the City
Although commuter traffic is heavy on the outskirts of Brussels
during rush hour (0730–0930 hrs and 1600–1830 hrs),
the centre is relatively easy to negotiate, once the one-way system
has been mastered. There is considerable ongoing work to reduce
city centre traffic levels, including extensive pedestrianisation
and other traffic management schemes.
In addition to car parks located in the city centre, there is pay-and-display
parking in certain streets. The rules for use vary according to
the time of parking. There also is a public car park under the Novotel
Hotel, Rue de la Montagne. Parking rates are €12 for
half a day, €2.50 for 2 hours and €1 for an hour. Rates
apply Monday to Saturday 0900–1300 hrs and 1430–1900
hrs, with free street parking available on Sunday and holidays.
Car Hire
Car hire is available to drivers of 23 years and over, on presentation
of a passport or identity card
and valid national driving licence, held for at
least 1 year.
All the major providers are present at Brussels Airport.
Locations throughout the city include:
Avis,
Gare du Midi (telephone number: (02) 527 1705)
Budget
Rent-a-Car, at Avenue Louise 327B (telephone number: (02) 753
2170)
Europcar,
Bruxelles-Midi and Chaussée de Waterloo 538 (tel: (02) 522
9573 or 345 9290)
Hertz,
at Bruxelles-Midi, Boulevard Lemonnier 8 and Chaussée de
Vleurgat 210 (telephone number: (02) 524 3100 or 513 2886 or 649
0015.
Prices for one day of hire start at around €70 for a small
car, rising to €200 for the largest vehicles. Third
Party Liability insurance should be covered by the hire
rates, however, those hiring a car should always check.
Bicycle Hire
Pro
Vélo, Rue de Londres 15 (telephone number: (02)
502 7355, fax number: (02) 502 8641), offers bicycles for hire at
a cost of €20 for a weekend or €12 for a day, as well
as guided themed tours. |
