Costs of vandalism on Brussels MIVB/STIB network rose by 1m euros
The cost of vandalism on the infrastructure of Brussels public transport operator MIVB/STIB reached 4.1 million euros last year, an increase of more than 34 per cent compared to 2023. That show figures given by Brussels mobility minister Elke Van den Brandt, in response to a question by Brussels MP for Vlaams Belang Bob De Brabandere.
In 2023, voluntary damage by users was estimated at 3,063,179 euros. The cost of vandalism for the MIVB/STIB thus increased by about 1 million euros last year. “This unfortunately is part of the general decline in safety and liveability in Brussels,” declared De Brabandere.
Remarkably, vandalism costs to underground infrastructure rose particularly sharply in 2024. There was an increase of 408 per cent – or 593,046 euros – for metro trains and of 15 per cent or 261,000 euros for stations. Above-ground vehicles did not escape the rise in vandalism either. The related costs for buses went up by 30 per cent or 132,361 euros and those for trams by 15 per cent or 80,452 euros.
According to De Brabandere, perpetrators too often go unpunished and too little damage is recovered from them. “We also see this in the New Year's Eve riots, for example,” he said. “Two months after the date, only six rioters were judicially arrested. That kind of inaction is disastrous.”
Illustration © BELGA PHOTO BELGIAN_FREELANCE
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