Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Brussels has introduced three electric buses on line 53. The initiative, led by STIB CEO Brieuc de Meeüs, aims to have 70 electric buses by 2025 and full electrification by 2035. The buses will also serve lines 46, 87, and 89.
Brussels has moved towards greener public transport by introducing three brand new, fully electric buses. These buses are now running on line 53, which connects the Military Hospital and Westland Shopping. They pass through important places like the Basilica, Bockstael, and De Wand.
This move is the start of a larger plan to update the city’s bus fleet, reduce emissions, and improve air quality. Line 53 was chosen first because it passes through busy areas and important transit spots.
How is Brussels rolling out 70 electric buses by 2035?
Brussels has ordered 70 electric buses, according to Vermeersch from the city’s transport authority. Most of these buses will start by the end of the year. They will first run on line 53, then on lines 46, 87, and 89. This will help more areas of the city.
Instead of making each bus line fully electric, the city will spread the buses across different routes. This plan aims to cut emissions quickly. Brussels cares about being sustainable while providing reliable bus service.
Vermeersch said,
We do not want to make a line fully electric but deploy the electric buses on different routes.
The Brussels public transport company, MIVB/STIB, planned to introduce electric buses quickly to help the environment. However, the delay in starting the Low Emission Zone gave them more time to prepare. This extra time helped MIVB/STIB get ready with its buses and the needed support for the change to electric.
Some electric buses were already running on routes like Line 33, which serves the Dansaert district and Marolles, and Line 64, which connects Bordet Station to Porte de Namur. These routes allowed the company to learn about using the buses and improve its operations before adding more electric buses in the future.
Mercedes, a German company based in Mannheim, makes the new electric buses. The company wants to switch all its buses to electric by 2035, as it cares about cleaner and greener transport in the city. To achieve this goal, Mercedes needs to buy electric buses and invest heavily in infrastructure.
They will set up charging stations at bus depots and important places around Brussels. Environmentalists mentioned that by 2035, this change will help reduce the environmental impact of public transport. It will also make the bus service quieter and more energy-efficient for people who use it.