STIB Activity report 2025

Responsibilities

The STIB contributes fully to the sustainable development objectives of the Brussels-Capital Region from an economic, social and environmental perspective. STIB's societal role is illustrated by its economical, efficient and humane management of its resources, its commitment to inclusion and its active contribution to climate issues, not only through its mission to operate the public transport network, but also as an industrial company committed to minimising the carbon footprint of its activities.

Environment

Digital Clean Up Days

Waste sorting

Upcycling

Low-carbon rails

Meals distribution with Opération Thermos

181 evenings

45 STIB teams

33.076distributed meals

8.580 by STIB teams

The STIB works with the association Opération Thermos to distribute hot meals to deprived people at the Botanique station during the winter. Of the 33,076 meals distributed in 202, 8,580 were prepared by 45 STIB teams. In addition, STIB buses and drivers transport the volunteers and meals from the Operation Thermos kitchens to the Botanique station by bus where the distribution takes place, which represents 157 return trips made thanks to 38 volunteer drivers.

During the holiday season, the non-profit organisation Opération Thermos organised two acoustic concerts to accompany the distribution of hot meals to the most disadvantaged. On 25 December, the duo Lazy Jack opened the evening with their guitar and vocals, while on 1 January, Daniel & Katrina filled the station with their harmonies to get the year off to a good start.

includo helps the homeless

The includo service, inspired by the model adopted by RATP (Paris public transport), aims to support homeless people and drug addicts in its metro stations and improve the passenger experience.

includo in figures

Between 1 January and 31 December 2025:

Presence on the network from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
362 days of activity
1,055 shifts
5,718 visits
24 stations identified as priority locations, visited on average every 48 hours
Approximately 300 individuals receiving regular follow-up
433 referrals with or without support for overnight stays, naps, care services or day care
307 overnight stays, bearing in mind that includo is dependent on the availability of places in the various reception centres

Behind the figures, includo is above all a human initiative, driven by committed women and men. A conversation, a cup of coffee, the donation of a hat... these are all everyday gestures that create bonds.

No to sexism, yes to respect

With this slogan, the STIB reiterated its commitment to combating harassment on its network. At the end of 2025, it launched an information and awareness campaign and announced the launch of a page dedicated to combating harassment on its website. Witnesses and victims can find information on what to do as a victim or witness, what the law says and how to recognise harassment.

Social engagement

Rainbow bus

Digital inclusion

Operation Beethoven

Accessible stations

57 stations with lifts

The Parc, Simonis and Elisabeth stations have been equipped with 10 new lifts providing access to the platforms from ground level. At the end of 2025, 57 of the 69 metro and pre-metro stations had accessible platforms, accounting for more than 80% of metro and pre-metro stations.

Making stations accessible is essential to enable and facilitate travel for many travellers: wheelchair users, parents with pushchairs, travellers with suitcases, crutches, etc. Brussels Mobility, the owner of the stations, is also gradually reviewing the tactile paving in stations for blind and visually impaired people. In 2025, pictograms were placed on the station platforms. They indicate to wheelchair users the most comfortable place to board the metro.

Accessible surface stops

500 bus and tram stops made accessible

In 2025, 57 stops, including 38 bus stops and 19 tram stops, underwent safety and accessibility improvements for people with reduced mobility. In total, since 2019, 500 of the approximately 2,200 surface stops have been made accessible. This brings the number of accessible stops to 25% and the number of usable stops to 50%.

TaxiBus

The TaxiBus service enables people with disabilities to travel door-to-door in dedicated STIB minibuses or taxis at reduced rates. TaxiBus meets a growing need: the number of journeys made has increased from 40,000 in 2016 to nearly 210,000 in 2025, more than five times as many.

TaxiBus is funded by a grant from the Brussels-Capital Region. In the context of regional budgetary constraints, the available resources have not been able to keep pace with the growth in journeys. The STIB has been forced to adapt the organisation of the service in order to continue to provide it within the allocated resources.

In 2026, the priority will be, as specified in the Public Service Contract between the STIB and the Region, to work with Brussels Mobility to study the changes that need to be made to TaxiBus in order to meet the growing demand for mobility among beneficiaries while keeping costs under control.

Safety & Security

Road safety

Network security

Trespassing on the tracks

Digital Clean Up Days

Storing data consumes energy. Launched in France in 2020, Digital Clean Up Days raise awareness of the environmental impact of digital technology and encourage data cleaning and the reuse of equipment.

In 2025, the STIB took part in the movement by organising digital clean-up workshops for its staff. The event was a success. A total of 97.3 GB of emails were deleted, corresponding to a saving of 17 kg of CO₂ per year. These efforts resulted in a 20% reduction (on average) in the size of participating employees' email inboxes. On shared servers and OneDrive, 114,000 files were deleted, representing an average reduction of 26% in each participant's files. This clean-up freed up 196 GB of data, representing a 33% reduction in storage space and an annual saving of 34 kg of CO₂.

Waste sorting

The STIB, in collaboration with Bruxelles-Propreté and Fost Plus, conducted an awareness campaign on the importance of waste sorting in stations. The quality of waste sorting in public spaces is a real challenge, generally more complex than in the workplace or at home.

The campaign took place in the Beekkant, Bourse and De Brouckère stations. It combined stands run by Bruxelles-Propreté, fun activities around waste sorting, voice announcements in stations and posters. Analyses identified the main sorting errors. It also became apparent that, in stations, mainly frequented by people in transit, certain awareness-raising actions are less effective. Conversely, initiatives targeting a younger audience yield better results.

Better sorting contributes to the cleanliness of stations and the quality of the customer experience. This long-term effort will continue through new awareness-raising initiatives and the installation of clear signage.

Upcycling

CoHOP (a Brussels microbrewery cooperative) approached the STIB to recover unused interior parts from a tram. The aim is to create a “public transport” space as part of the redevelopment of an event venue in Etterbeek, on the Arsenal site. In addition to the typical Brussels character sought, the initiative is primarily part of a strategy to reuse and recycle materials. This reuse makes it possible to:

Recycle STIB equipment by giving it a new use rather than eventually destroying it
Reduce environmental impact, in line with the values of circularity and sustainability
Showcase Brussels' heritage
Create a symbolic and positive link between an essential public service and a committed local player

The STIB took up upcycling several years ago in order to reuse equipment that it no longer needed. The STIB webshop is full of upcycled items, made from scraps of leather or construction site tarpaulins, for example.

Low-carbon rails

As part of its public procurement process, the STIB includes environmental clauses to encourage bidders to propose more sustainable solutions.

In a tender for tram rails, it was able to select a candidate offering rails with a recycled steel content of 78%. These rails have a lower carbon footprint than traditional rails. In 2025, STIB has laid 14,400 metres of these “low carbon” rails.

Rainbow bus

During Brussels Pride, in support of LGBTQIA+ rights, the STIB decorated a bus with rainbow colours.

The vehicle ran on line 71 throughout May. This was a way for the Brussels public transport company to show its commitment to a more open and inclusive society.

Road safety

Road safety is a major issue for the STIB and its more than 1,250 buses and trams, which travel more than 45 million kilometres every year. These vehicles are an integral part of traffic and must therefore coexist with motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and scooter riders.

There are several danger zones around buses: blind spots, but also the overhang and wheelbase. The STIB took advantage of a bicycle market and Car-Free Day to invite the public to take a seat in the driver's cab of a bus and thus become aware of the visibility of vulnerable road users and risk areas.

Trams, which run on rails, require a long braking distance to stop. They also cannot deviate from their trajectory. This is why these vehicles have priority over other road users. The STIB regularly reminds people of this rule, especially in autumn. The risk of accidents is higher during this period due to reduced light and falling leaves, which make the tracks more slippery and therefore increase braking distances.

Network security

STIB's security services count more than 300 employees who work every day to ensure the security of the network. Over the past year, they have carried out surveillance, ticket inspection and infrastructure security tasks. For the second time, the Security Department won the Benelux Outstanding Security Performance Award (OSPA) in the “Outstanding Security Team” category. This award recognises individuals, companies and innovations in the security sector.

The STIB teams work closely with the police. For example, FIPA (Full Integrated Police Action) operations are organised several times a year in conjunction with various police zones. The STIB also works with the police and fire brigade to train officers in how to respond to incidents in its underground facilities.

The STIB and Brussels Mobility have signed an agreement with Safe.Brussels, which coordinates prevention and security in the Brussels-Capital Region. This agreement allows the authorities to use screens at stops, stations and in vehicles in the event of a major crisis in Brussels.

Trespassing on the tracks

The STIB capitalised on the Halloween season to remind people, with its characteristic touch of humour, that trespassing on the metro tracks is prohibited. Going down onto the tracks not only causes delays, but is also extremely dangerous. The consequences can be fatal.

In 2025, more than one person per day risked their lives on the metro tracks. The number of intrusions remained stable, with 414 incidents recorded in 2025 compared to 421 in 2024. However, this figure remains relatively high, with significant consequences. The metro network was shut down for a total of 4,298 minutes due to trespassing on the tracks, or approximately 72 hours. This represents 5,802 kilometres not travelled, which is roughly the distance between Brussels and New York as the crow flies.

The STIB staff are present in stations or via contact points to assist travellers if they lose an item on the tracks.

includo helps the homeless

The team, consisting of 23 outreach workers, has two buses and a van equipped to accommodate beneficiaries. Its mission is to redirect people who are homeless or poorly housed, and/or drug addicts present on the STIB network, particularly in metro and pre-metro stations, to dedicated facilities. It thus constitutes an important link between this population and the voluntary sector responsible for helping people in extremely precarious situations. includo does not replace field associations, but works hand in hand with them.

After a year of activity, the results are positive: the presence of includo is making a difference for travellers, STIB staff, people in precarious situations and partner associations. However, its scope of action remains limited due to the lack of places in accommodation facilities.

500 bus and tram stops made accessible

The raising of bus and tram stop platforms eliminates the need to step up when boarding and allows travellers to enter vehicles at ground level. At tram stops, rubber edge boards are placed along the platform to bridge the gap between the vehicle and the platform and facilitate boarding. In 2025, rubber edges were installed at nine tram stops, bringing the number of equipped tram stops to nearly 150, or about 25%.

The STIB is working with Brussels Mobility and the municipalities to make improvements to the accessibility of its network for people with reduced mobility. Public road redevelopment projects provide opportunities to bring stops up to accessibility standards. The Strategic Plan for Network Accessibility aims to make 500 of the 700 priority stops accessible due to their strategic location (near hospitals, schools, shopping centres, etc.).

Accessibility in the event of scheduled disruptions also presents a challenge. Fifteen kits are used to create temporary accessible stops during diversions on the network. They have enabled the creation of 19 temporary accessible stops.

No to sexism, yes to respect

Banners displaying ‘STIB says no to sexism, STIB says yes to respect’ were displayed in vehicles. A QR code links to the dedicated page on the website. In early 2026, the same QR code was added to stickers in all vehicles, summarising the rules to be followed on public transport. A brochure was also distributed for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This brochure is also available at points of sale.

At the same time, STIB training centres, in collaboration with the non-profit organisation CEMEA, developed training modules for staff in contact with travellers so that everyone can react appropriately, whether they witness a situation or are approached by a traveller.

Digital inclusion

Searching for a route, checking a timetable or buying a ticket online... These everyday tasks can be difficult for some people who are less comfortable with digital technology. That is why the STIB works with associations such as Bibliothèques Sans Frontières, Maks ASBL, SAFA ASBL and Espace cultures et développement ASBL, which work to promote digital inclusion.

Workshops organised in stations have enabled people who find digital channels more difficult to use to discover STIB's tools and share practical advice. These events provided an opportunity to answer their questions and share some tips and tricks to make their journeys easier.

Operation Beethoven

Since 2007, the STIB has been organising an annual audition to select artists to perform in metro and pre-metro stations. The jury is made up of several STIB staff members who are musicians themselves.

The quality of the artists takes precedence over their quantity. They must offer a sufficiently varied repertoire. All musical genres and all types of instruments are welcome. In 2025, Operation Beethoven welcomed performances by oud and didgeridoo players.

Thirty-seven stations host around fifty musicians. The places where they can perform are marked with a treble clef. In 2025, a new, clearer and more attractive visual was introduced, allowing travellers to more easily identify the musical areas.