Still no exit gates at 20 Brussels metro stations

Over the last few years, Brussels public transport authority STIB started installing access and exit gates in metro stations across the city in its most ambitious attempt so far to combat rampant fare dodging. But a crucial weak spot, it turns out, remains.

Travelers have had to check out at tram stations since 2014, and STIB’s aim was to install similar gates at exits to metro stations between November of last year and April of this year. The gates allow exit only to those with a valid ticket.

But according to a news report from Bruzz, travellers continue to be able to exit 20 of the city’s 69 metro stations without having to validate their STIB pass or ticket.

“The 20 that remain are metro stations where installation of a check-out isn’t that easy because of technical reasons. For instance, you can’t install the gates on the platform itself,” said STIB spokesperson Guy Sablon.

The stations without gates at metro station exits are: Ceria, La Roue, Aumale, Beekkant, Rogier, Clémenceau, Delacroix, Central Station, Porte de Hal, Louise, Porte de Namur, Beaulieu, Delta, Petillon, Stockel, Alma, Mérode, Maelbeek, Saint-Catherine and De Brouckère.

It’s not yet clear when the 20 stations will be outfitted with gates at exits. “We’ll have to look at this station by station,” said Sablon. “Aumale is up in September. The rest will follow after that.”

Photo: Belga / Siska Gremmelprez

Written by Linda A. Thompson