Brussels : a challenging Regional Mobility Plan

• The sustainable mobility plan has been adopted end of
  2010. It aims at reducing traffic by 20% in comparison
  with 2001. To reach this goal, a huge improvement in the
  capacity of public transport is needed, as well as an effort in improving cycling and walking safety.

Parking policy is to be introduced through a Regional Parking
Company in charge of harmonising the 19 municipality’s
parking policies, with a view to reduce space availability by
16% and at the same time better manage the demand (meaning
the pricing!). Land use planning is to be adapted to accessibility
by public transport. Goods transport is also approached.

A study about introducing “pay as you ride” system is to be led until 2014 for introducing in 2018 when capacity of
public transport is improved. A budget of 4 billion € is needed in the period 2011-2018, it means an increase by 50% of the actual expenses for investments. An additional budget from the State is under discussion under the attempt to form a federal government.

• As part of this plan, the regional government has agreed
  about the automatic run of the underground lines 1 and
  5. It includes renewal of the rolling stock (current vehicles
  date back from 1973 to 1976) and signals. Station will be
  fitted with screen doors to avoid intrusion on the tracks
  and to regulate the passenger’s flow. An additional storage
  and maintenance facility is to be build and the actual to
  be adapted. The budget needed is about 700 million €.

• As part of this plan, a study has started to extend the
  underground northwards by 4 km. The foreseen budget is
  about 650 million €.

• An additional 65 streetcars has been ordered to replace
  older ones (from 1971-1975) and to improve capacity by
  50%. There will then be a fleet of 220 streetcars of the
  same type. The budget is about 180 million €.

• In 2011, the extension of streetcar lines will be operational
  (+/- 5 km) as well as the additional capacity on underground
  (lines 1 and 5) expanded by 16%.

• To reduce fare escape, underground stations are fitted
  with gates. 20 stations out of 69 are operational yet. In
  some stations, revenue has increased by 80%. At the
  same times, the main vending machines can be used with
  credit cards.

For more contact: Thierry Duquenne