Public transport gaining ground in Brussels as car use declines
Public transport is playing an increasingly central role in the mobility landscape of Brussels. The market share of metro, tram and bus journeys operated by STIB-MIVB increased from 22% in 2022 to 27% in 2024. Including rail passengers (2%), public transport now accounts for a larger share of journeys in the capital than private cars. These findings come from a recent study by Brussels Mobility.
After declining during the pandemic, the importance of buses, metros, trams and trains is growing once again. The number of passengers is rising, and the proportion of total trips made by public transport is also increasing.
Surpassing cars
According to a recent study, 31% of journeys in Brussels are made on foot, 8% by bicycle and 29% by car. "The metro, tram and bus account for 27% of all journeys in Brussels. Including rail brings the total share of public transport to 29%, equalling that of cars,” explains STIB-MIVB spokesperson Laurent Vermeersch.
Around the turn of the century, private cars accounted for over half of all journeys
Compared to the 2022 study, this shows a substantial rise in the use of public transport. Back then, the figure was just 22%. "The trend is clear. Around the turn of the century, private cars accounted for over half of all journeys. Today, they are steadily losing ground to active modes of transport like public transport, walking, cycling and shared mobility," says Vermeersch.
Continued investment is essential
STIB-MIVB CEO Brieuc de Meeûs attributes this change in part to "major investments by the Brussels Region in public transport. Travellers are responding positively. When the quality of the service improves, they come on board.” Public transport usage is now higher than before the pandemic. "If we want to sustain this, continued investment is essential," de Meeûs says.
© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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