Brussels, 20 September, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Brussels Car-Free Day is under way across the entire Brussels-Capital Region on Sunday, with most motorised traffic banned between 9.30am and 7pm. The restrictions cover all 19 municipalities, while public transport is free and additional metro, tram and bus services are operating.
Roads across Brussels remain closed to most cars
The City of Brussels says motorised traffic is prohibited throughout the region during the designated period, except for authorised vehicles. The Brussels Ring and motorways remain open, but access roads into the capital region are closed.
Emergency services, police, public transport, vehicles with special permits and certain taxis are among the exemptions. Vehicles permitted to use the restricted streets must observe a 30 km/h maximum speed.
The event is the 26th edition and forms part of European Mobility Week, which runs in Brussels from 16 to 22 September.
STIB provides free travel and additional services
STIB-MIVB has made its entire public transport network free for Sunday and increased capacity to help people move around the capital.
Between 1pm and 7pm, metro trains are scheduled every six-and-a-half minutes on all lines. Tram services are operating to Saturday timetables, with additional frequencies on selected routes. Several bus routes have also been reinforced.
STIB issued a safety warning to people enjoying the quieter streets, saying: “There’s still some traffic on Car Free Sunday, so respect the traffic regulations and watch out for our buses and our trams.” The operator added that trams and buses have longer braking distances.
Brussels Metro celebrates its 50th anniversary
Sunday’s event coincides with exactly 50 years since Brussels inaugurated its first metro on 20 September 1976.
STIB says the network has recorded almost five billion journeys during the five decades since its opening. The Jacques Brel depot in Molenbeek is also opening to visitors from 10am to 4pm as part of the anniversary celebrations.
STIB described the programme as an opportunity to “discover what happens behind the scenes of the metro and the bus”, including the latest generation of electric buses and their charging infrastructure.
The celebrations also recognise 100 years of bus services in Brussels.
Car-free programme continues across the capital
Activities are taking place throughout Brussels as streets normally dominated by vehicles are opened to pedestrians, cyclists, scooters and other users.
Local broadcaster BRUZZ is running live coverage of Sunday’s event, while official organisers have scheduled activities across the region.
The Brussels Car-Free Day restrictions remain in effect until 7pm. Normal vehicle access is expected to resume after the regional restrictions end, while European Mobility Week continues through Tuesday, 22 September.
