Brussels commuters can expect shorter waiting times and more reliable metro services as the city’s transport operator STIB/MIVB moves forward with a major signalling upgrade on lines 1 and 5.
The installation of a new Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) system is underway, replacing the nearly five-decade-old fixed-block signalling system currently in use.
The existing system, installed in 1976, has served the metro network reliably and safely for decades. However, with Brussels’ growing population and rising demand for efficient public transport, STIB has deemed it necessary to adopt modern technology.
Unlike the traditional fixed-block system, which forces trains to maintain large distances by dividing tracks into segments, the CBTC system enables direct communication between trains. This innovation allows metros to safely run closer together, leading to reduced intervals and improved service frequency.
“For passengers, this will mean more regular intervals between trains, smoother incident resolution and, ultimately, shorter waiting times,” STIB stated in a recent press release.
Work on the signalling upgrade has been progressing steadily. Over the summer, installations were completed between Jacques Brel and Erasme on line 5.
On line 1, works between Tomberg and Stockel are nearing completion, while significant progress has been reported on the section between Herrmann-Debroux and Jacques Brel on line 5.
Despite this progress, STIB has confirmed that the full installation of the system across the tunnels of lines 1 and 5 will not be finished until early 2026.
In preparation, extensive testing is already underway. Since the beginning of 2025, STIB teams have conducted approximately 780 hours of trials both on the metro line itself and at the Erasme depot.
These tests are essential to ensure that the system operates flawlessly before it becomes fully operational. Alongside the tunnel installations, STIB has introduced new supervision software at its dispatching centre, where metro operations are monitored in real time.
The gradual transition to the new interface is designed to give staff adequate time to familiarise themselves with the upgraded technology and ensure a seamless shift once the system is officially launched.
The CBTC system not only promises efficiency but also offers flexibility in handling disruptions. With direct communication between trains, metro traffic controllers can react more swiftly to incidents, reducing delays and ensuring passengers are less affected by unforeseen disruptions.
“The signalling system on metro lines 1 and 5 dates back to 1976. Although robust, safe and efficient, it needs to be modernised after nearly 50 years,” STIB concluded.
For Brussels residents and daily commuters, the investment in modernisation represents a significant step toward building a transport network that meets the needs of a growing and dynamic capital city.
By early 2026, travellers on lines 1 and 5 should experience the tangible benefits of this cutting-edge system: shorter waiting times, smoother journeys, and more reliable metro services.
