Don’t block the doors

Are you travelling on the (underground) STIB-MIVB network? Always keep in mind:

1. The yellow line. This line marks a safe distance from the platform edge. Stay safe by standing behind it.
2. The beep. This sound signal indicates that the vehicle doors are about to close. When you hear it, make sure you are inside the vehicle or standing behind the yellow line. The doors are equipped with an automatic detection system. But some very small items, like your fingers or the straps of your handbag, may still get stuck. Always keep a safe distance and avoid taking risks when the doors are closing.

Once the metro or tram has fully stopped and you no longer hear the door-opening signal sound, you can cross the yellow line. Always wait until all travellers have gotten off. This way, you avoid pushing and shoving, make room for everyone, and get to your destination faster.

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Never go on the tracks

Oh no! You dropped your headphones, your child’s teddy bear or your study notes? It’s frustrating, but don’t try to get it back, just leave it there. Instead, speak to a STIB-MIVB agent in the station or through our call terminals. Indeed, the tracks carry 900 volts to power the vehicles, so better safe than sorry!

Our tips

Tips to travel with STIB-MIVB public transport

Advice number 1: Arrive at your stop 3 minutes ahead of time

Missing your bus, tram, or metro can be frustrating. But no worries: most of our lines operate 7 days a week, from 5.00 am to midnight. So, there’s always another vehicle on the way. Still want to be sure to get to your destination on time? Get to your stop a few minutes early.

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Advice number 2: Raise your hand to board

If you want a bus or tram to stop at your above-ground stop, give the driver a signal. There's no need to wave a white handkerchief like you're singing along to Les Lacs du Connemara. Simply raise your hand. Metros and underground trams automatically stop at every station.

Tram and bus drivers aren’t required to stop at every stop. Do you want to get off? Press the stop button in time so the driver doesn’t skip your stop. Metros stop at every station.

A few tips

3. Validate every journey

To enter or exit a vehicle or station, you always need a valid transport ticket. You can use a MOBIB card, a digital ticket, contactless payment or a paper ticket. With your transport ticket in hand, it only takes 2 seconds to validate. Travelling without a valid ticket or season ticket will cost you a lot more.

Advice number 4: Change vehicles smoothly

If you're switching from one vehicle to another, always validate your transport ticket. This also applies when you board a vehicle from another transport company (De Lijn, SNCB-NMBS, or TEC). Within 60 minutes of your first validation, you can make one or more connections.

Advice number 5: Always hold on in the vehicles

Did you successfully board? Always hold on when you’re standing. Sometimes our drivers may have to suddenly brake or swerve. Holding onto the poles and handrails will keep you from falling, bumping into other travellers, or getting hurt.

Advice number 6: Always give way

Trams always have priority. For two reasons: first, their size and weight make their braking distance four times longer than that of a car. Second, they run on tram tracks, so they can’t swerve to avoid someone crossing the tracks unexpectedly.

A bus has priority when it leaves a stop. As soon as the driver signals with the indicator, overtaking the bus is not allowed. Be particularly careful if you're riding a bike or kick scooter: buses are long vehicles. If the driver hasn't noticed you, they could signal and start moving before you’re done overtaking.

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