In 2023, more than 3,500 accidents involving vehicles operated by Brussels’ public transport company, STIB, have sparked growing concerns over the safety of both passengers and pedestrians, particularly among parents.
Recent incidents have intensified worries, with many pointing to trams and buses as the greatest threats to children’s safety in the city.
Over one weekend in December, Schaerbeek, a bustling Brussels neighborhood, was rocked by two separate accidents. On Saturday, 14 December, a STIB bus struck a pedestrian, and the following day, a similar collision occurred involving a STIB tram.
While both incidents were deemed exceptional cases, the frequency of such accidents is raising alarms about the safety challenges facing the city’s public transport system.
Martine Raets, a member of the Brussels Parliament from Open VLD, who requested the accident statistics from outgoing Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt, highlighted the growing concerns among parents.
“Many parents are concerned. When asked about the biggest safety risks for their children in the city, they often point directly to buses and trams,” Raets explained.
Despite external factors such as reckless driving by other road users contributing to accidents, the rising number of incidents remains troubling.
STIB’s annual report for 2023 revealed a total of 3,593 accidents involving one of its vehicles, equating to 0.638 accidents per 10,000 kilometers traveled. These accidents resulted in 203 injuries, affecting passengers, STIB employees, and third parties.
With nearly 54 million kilometers covered last year—roughly equivalent to traveling to the moon and back each week—the sheer volume of travel heightens the risk of such incidents, though STIB insists that it strives to keep accidents to a minimum.
STIB spokesperson Laurent Vermeersch emphasized the scale of the company’s operations, explaining that compiling accurate figures for the full year ensures comparisons are meaningful, even as the number of accidents fluctuates from year to year.
“There can always be a sudden surge of accidents, so it is dangerous to draw conclusions too quickly,” Vermeersch said. Despite these statistics, STIB remains steadfast in its commitment to safety.
Vermeersch pointed to several initiatives designed to reduce risks, such as annual awareness campaigns and ongoing training programs for drivers focused on defensive driving techniques.
Additionally, a team of safety managers analyzes every accident in detail to identify areas for improvement.
However, Raets insists that while STIB is taking steps to address safety concerns, more needs to be done. “It is clear that STIB takes safety seriously and reports incidents accurately, but we cannot afford to be complacent,” Raets remarked.
“The Parliament must continue to monitor these figures to ensure that safety in our densely populated city’s traffic remains a top priority.”
Raets has called for regular reporting and continuous improvements in public transport safety, stressing that these efforts are crucial not only for the thousands of passengers who rely on STIB daily but also for the many pedestrians and cyclists navigating the streets of Brussels. “We cannot ignore this issue,” Raets concluded.
As Brussels continues to expand its public transport network to meet the demands of its growing population, the safety of its citizens remains a critical concern.
Moving forward, residents and policymakers alike will be keeping a close eye on STIB’s efforts to balance the efficiency of public transport with the need to keep the city’s streets safe.