Covid 19
You have a specific question about the coronavirus crisis and the measures taken by STIB-MIVB?
You will find below our list of frequently asked questions, arranged by theme or searchable by key word.
Updated news is also shared on our homepage: we invite you to consult these updates regularly.
List of links
Sinds May 4th
In order to meet the gradual easing of lockdown measures announced by the authorities, STIB-MIVB will adapt its public transport offer to ensure safe travelling conditions. For everyone's safety, wearing a face mask covering the mouth and nose will be mandatory in public transportation for every traveller aged 12 and older. Wearing a face mask is mandatory on the whole STIB-MIVB network, which means also in our stations and at the aboveground stops.
To ensure the best possible travelling conditions, it is recommended to use public transportation only for essential travels, to avoid peak periods as much as possible and to keep a distance.
Network
Adapted service during the summer
Since Monday the 29th of June, the timetables of July and August (blue timetables) are applied to the whole network. See the timetables
Bus lines extended in the evening.
The closure of the theatres and the restrictive measures concerning the hotels, bars and restaurants result in the suspension of the Noctis bus lines until the end of August.
In order to allow people to enjoy their evenings in the city center, and to stick to the current closing hours of bars and restaurants, several bus lines will be running later on Friday and Saturday evenings from Friday 17 July.
The last departures of bus lines 29, 38, 46, 48, 66, 71, 86, 88 and 95 are scheduled around 1.15 AM in the center (De Brouckère, Grand-Place, Central Station...).
Mandatory masks
From 4 May onwards, face masks (or alternative means of protection covering the mouth and nose) are made mandatory on the entire STIB-MIVB network and must be worn from the age of 12 in order to limit the spread of the virus.
Wearing a face mask is mandatory not only in our vehicles, but also at our stops and from the moment you enter a station.
It is essential to take care of yourself while protecting others. Wearing a mask ensures everyone’s safety. Used gloves and masks thrown on the ground are a risk for our staff that pick them up and for the spread of the virus. We insist that used gloves and masks be thrown in the garbage!
Other safety measures
In addition to wearing a mask, hygiene measures such as washing your hands or using a hydro-alcoholic gel, using paper handkerchiefs, coughing into your elbow will continue to apply. It is also recommended to keep your distance, to avoid peak periods as much as possible and to use public transportation for essential travels only.
In order to strictly limit contact between the travellers and the drivers, access through the front door is forbidden and sales on board the vehicles remain suspended. At the sales outlets, payment by bank card is required and no cash will be accepted. Furthermore, STIB-MIVB continues to take additional measures for the cleaning of the vehicles and stations.
Frequently Asked Question Covid - 19
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Protective masks
Where and when I am required to wear a face mask?
In accordance with Government decisions and for the safety of us all, wearing a face mask or a scarf covering your mouth and nose is mandatory from 4 May onwards at all bus/tram stops, in the stations and onboard our vehicles. This measure applies to all travellers aged 12 and older on the whole STIB-MIVB network.
At this stage of the lockdown exit plan, it is essential to take care of yourself while respecting others. Please cover your mouth and nose and keep your distance. Thank you for your cooperation!
How should I wear my face mask?
Please follow the instructions given here.
What if I cannot/may not wear a face mask?
If wearing a face mask is contraindicated on medical grounds, we recommend you to seek advise from your doctor.
Where can I buy face masks?
You can purchase face masks at the vending machines in the fllowing stations:
- Alma
- Arts-Loi/ Kunst-Wet
- Beekkant
- Botanique/ Kruidtuin
- Ceria
- De Brouckere
- Delacroix
- Delta
- Demey
- Erasme/ Erasmus
- Gare Centrale/ Centraal Station
- Gare du Midi/ Zuidstation
- Gare du Nord/ Noordstation
- Gribaumont
- Hankar
- Hermann-Debroux
- Heysel/ Heyzel
- Houba Brugmann
- Kraainem
- Louise/ Louiza
- Maalbeek/ Maelbeek
- Madou
- Merode
- Montgomery
- Parc/ Park
- Petillon
- Porte de Hal/ Hallepoort
- Porte de Namur/ Naamsepoort
- Rogier
- Roi Baudoin/ Koning Boudewijn
- Roodebeek
- Saint-Guidon/ Sint-Guido
- Schuman
- Simonis
- Sainte-Catherine/ Sint-Katelijne
- Stockel/ Stokkel
- Thieffry
- Tomberg
- Trone/ Troon
Travelling during the lockdown
Where can I buy tickets?
We are no longer selling tickets on board our vehicles. Tickets can still be purchased at the GO vending machines, on the website and the mobile app, as well as in our BOOTIKs and KIOSKs provided that you pay by bank card. You will find all our sales outlets on our Store Locator.
Starting from 1st July, you will have the possibility to pay your ticket at the grey validators by using your payment card or other connected devices (smartwatch, smartphone,...) equiped with contactless technology.
How does the crisis impact my journey?
We kindly ask you to aboard our buses and trams using the back doors and to observe the safety distances. Noctis buses are no longer running. The offer has been adapted to the available personnel, and is therefore reduced. The frequencies are available on the real-time displays and on our mobile app. We do our best to operate hospitals and, in case of lack of staff, we close tourist lines before other lines (e.g. line 33).
When can I use STIB-MIVB lines?
In order to avoid excessive pressure on the transport network during the various lockdown exit phases, it is recommended to avoid as possible public transport during peak hours.
How can I plan my journey?
"Paper" timetables should no longer be referred to. Please consult the real time-information displayed on the travel information screens, on our mobile app and on our website.
Vehicles
Can the drivers open all doors at each stop?
Except for the front door, our drivers open all doors located on the side of the stop on our new trams, as well as on our buses, when a traveller pushed the stop button or let them know they want to board. In our metro trains and older trams, opening the doors on one side only is not possible. As such, an automatic opening would cause a safety issue for the travellers.
Precautions
What hygiene measures should I take?
Please observe the hygiene measures recommended by the authorities, i.e.: wear a mask or a scarf that covers nose and chin, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water as often as possible, and especially before and after using public transport. If soap and water are not available, please use a hand sanitiser. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or with a flexed elbow. Use disposable handkerchiefs or facial tissues and throw them away in a closed bin immediately after use. Avoid handshakes and close contacts. Avoid contact with persons who cough or sneeze. And avoid touching your face.
How are STIB-MIVB vehicles cleaned?
Every vehicle is cleaned before leaving our depots. Particular attention is being paid to the driving cabins and to the contact points (handrails, stop buttons, armrests, etc.) of the passenger compartments. STIB-MIVB has organised reinforcements for the cleaning of the vehicles. In addition, about a hundred staff members in training are present at the main terminuses in order to ensure additional cleaning of the contact points during the day. Drivers also have a cleaning set for their driving cabins.
Customer Services
How to contact STIB-MIVB?
STIB-MIVB answers questions that its travellers ask on Facebook (STIB - Officiel) and Twitter (@STIBMIVB), using its contact form or by phone (070 23 2000 - € 0.30/min). For more information about COVID-19, click here to acces the official website.
Is the lost and found office still open during the containment period?
Our Lost and found office is located in Botanique/Kruidtuin station, on the same floor as the metro access gates. It is open on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 12 am to 6 pm.
Others
Why don't you open the gates?
Maintaining public transport despite the confinement does not mean that the transport rules no longer apply. In order to use our bus, trams and metros, travellers must be in possession of a ticket. Even though on-board sales are suspended, our GO, KIOSK and BOOTIK remain available, as well as our online sales. As in food shops, payment by bank card is required. The gates are among the contact points that are subject to reinforced cleaning. To open the gates, you can simply hold your ticket or MOBIB card a few centimetres away from the validator.