Now that works on the Brussels Metro 3 have been delayed due to budget problems and the new line may not come into full service until 2038 or later, Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) is to investigate possible alternatives to increase the public transport offer on that planned line.

So reports La Libre Belgique newspaper, which saw an internal memo now due to be discussed within the Brussels government on Thursday. There would be 13 alternatives to improve the transport situation on the North-Bordet axis.

Not ready before 2034 or even 2038

The new north-south Metro 3 line is to become the new backbone for the Brussels public transport network, which is mainly east-west oriented. The new line, which stretches for 10,3 km and requires seven new stations to be dug, is expected to connect the Albert station in the center of Forest across the Brussels-North station to the Bordet station in Evere.

The project is being worked on in two phases. Phase one includes the conversion of the existing pre-metro between Albert and the North station, and phase two is the extension of the line from the North station to Bordet, with the construction of seven new stations, a 4,5 km tunnel, and a depot in Haren.

Because of financial problems – read: notable additional costs for a tunnel under the South Palace and the northern stretch – the completion date for the entire line has already been postponed from 2025 to 2030.

However, the internal memo that La Libre Belgique was able to see now shows that 2034 and even earlier 2038 are being pushed forward as the project’s completion date.

According to the Brussels government, it is, therefore, necessary to come up with alternatives, such as an extension of the transport offer on the North-Bordet axis between now and the commissioning of Metro 3.

13 proposals

Brussels Minister of Mobility Van Den Brandt and Brussels public transport MIVB/STIB are expected to examine 13 proposals, six of which are priorities. For instance, tram line 55, part of whose route is like that of the future metro line, could run faster and more frequently. The cabinet also recommends merging tram lines 4 and 55 and extending tram line 55’s services to include a bus service.

Other proposals include extending bus routes, implementing a structured bicycle network, and raising awareness of other forms of public transport, such as the NMBS/SNCB urban offer S. The feasibility of planning a tram line on the Chaussée de Haecht should also be investigated.

A second parallel tram line, with a Bordet-Botanique route via the Chaussée de Haecht, is also an option. However, according to MIVB/STIB and Brussels Mobility, this expensive route would only make sense if the northern branch of Metro 3 were discontinued.

Extra costs of up to 80 million euros

According to the newspaper L’Echo, the additional costs for these alternatives range from 4 to 80 million euros, expenses that are not integrated into the current multi-year investment plans. In the past, the Brussels government has already asked the federal government for a contribution and significant participation in the northern branch of the project.

Examining these alternatives immediately reignites the debate as to whether the pricey Metro Nord-Bordet will be built. Within the current Brussels majority, there still seems to be little consensus.

The PS and Défi, and opposition parties MR and N-VA, argue in favor of the project. Green/Ecolo, on the other hand, is said to have distanced themselves and claimed alternatives because the financial resources for the project are not there, although road pricing is another option.

The next Brussels government will decide whether work on the new Metro 3 will continue or stop now after the 2024 elections.