New travel pass for commuters in Brussels periphery

A new public transport pass launching this autumn will make commuting easier for those who live just outside the Brussels regional border.

Belgium's four main public transport operators - Stib, De Lijn, TEC and the SNCB - have joined forces to offer the Jump+ ticket and the MTB+ season ticket from September.

Until now, the €583-a-year MTB pass has made it possible to use all four transport operators within the Brussels region alone.

For example, you can hop on a De Lijn bus or an SNCB train within the region's borders - but travel one step further into Vilvoorde or Rhode-Saint-Genèse and your ticket is no longer valid.

The MTB+ zone will cover each of the municipalities that has a border with the Brussels region, such as Dilbeek, Grimbergen, Wezembeek-Oppem and Hoeilaart. It will include Zaventem village, but not the airport.

For occasional travel, the Jump+ ticket will allow a single journey within the same area. Prices have yet to be confirmed, pending final approval from each of the three regions, which is due this week.

Brussels member of parliament Emmanuel De Bock estimates that 21,000 passengers will benefit from the simplified fare structure. He said the current system was "absurd" and penalised those who cross the regional border for work.