Public transport, an environment-friendly solution

Simple calculation: where a car carries 1 to 5 people...

• A standard bus: 65 people
• An articulated bus: 100 people
• A T3000 tram: 180 people
• A T2000 tram: 250 people
• A metro: 725 people

That's a lot of cars not caught up in the traffic, which is a source of pollution. This is good for the planet, good for air quality and mobility in the city. In short, if everyone limited car use, public transport would be even more efficient and the city would be more breathable.

Making Brussels greener in 3 steps

Step 1: electric vehicles

It's no secret: fossil fuels are running out. Good news, our trams and metros already operate entirely on green electricity. We are also in the process of systematically replacing all diesel buses with electric and hybrid ones. Our plan is to renew the whole bus fleet by 2035.

• According to the 2023 annual report, more than half of our nearly 860 buses are already hybrid or electric.
• By 2026, an additional 106 electric buses will be introduced, consisting of 70 articulated buses and 36 standard buses. The delivery of the first 56 articulated electric buses has started mid-2024!
• We are installing charging infrastructure at both our depots and bus stops.
• In 2021, the first hydrogen bus operated on the STIB-MIVB network. However, due to supply issues and high hydrogen costs, we decided to end the pilot project after 2.5 years. To be continued…

Did you know?

Step 2: eco-construction as the foundation of building and renovating

Energy-efficient construction and renovation are the norms for both individuals and companies. On our 33 sites, we renovate and build based on “eco-construction” principles:

• Nearly 3 out of 4 of our vehicle cleaning systems use rainwater or recycled water.
• We are replacing old lighting with LED lighting.
• We add extra insulation to older buildings where possible. New constructions are equipped with energy-efficient insulation from the outset.
• We include additional green spaces wherever possible.

Over the years, we've launched various eco-friendly projects. However, one project stands out above the rest: the Erasmus depot, the newest depot for automated metro trains. This depot is fully equipped with water recovery systems, solar panels, and geothermal wells that heat the building. It has earned the “BREEAM Design Stage” certificate, an international norm that evaluates the environmental impact of a building.

Step 3: renewable energy: solar panels and wind power

Sun and wind are all we need to supply energy to our buildings. We have installed more than 5,500 solar panels on STIB-MIVB buildings, covering nearly 10,000 m² of roof space. In April 2023, we signed a contract with Aspiravi, ensuring daily use of local wind energy. These measures help us meet our ambition to reduce our energy consumption by 1.9% annually, as outlined in the public service contract.

Recycling and upcycling

Did you know we transform the leather seats from our vehicles into MOBIB card holders? Or that you can buy shopping bags made from recycled STIB-MIVB construction tarps? We actually collaborate with a local Brussels partner to recycle and upcycle materials that are still usable. They craft these into trendy accessories, so you always carry a unique piece of STIB-MIVB with you.

Unfortunately, we can't turn everything into STIB-MIVB gadgets. Our bins, like yours, do not escape plastic, paper, and household waste. We also have a lot of “technical” materials that we can't always recover due to excessive wear or damage. This includes tracks, batteries, vehicles, lamp covers, air filters, windscreens, and tyres. These items are recycled or used to produce energy. Up to 80% of our waste is reused.

Pollution peaks in Brussels

Pollution peaks are due to weather conditions causing high levels of fine dust and nitrogen dioxide in the air: low temperatures, no wind, and thermal inversion. Clean mobility is essential to regain clean air. 

During these pollution peaks, the Brussels Region sets four concentration thresholds for pollutants. Each threshold comes with specific measures for you as a citizen and for us as a transport operator. Good to know: if the first threshold is crossed, you can travel for free on our network and receive a free Villo! Day Ticket.

More about the STIB-MIVB