Brussels Metro celebrates 50 years of service

The Brussels Metro is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking half a century since the inauguration of its first full network in 1976. The system, which originally connected De Brouckère with Tomberg and Beaulieu, has grown to become a central component of the city's mobility.

According to the operator STIB-MIVB, the metro has recorded nearly five billion passenger journeys during its fifty years of operation. STIB chief executive Brieuc de Meeûs noted that the network serves as the backbone of the public transport system, connecting neighborhoods and providing essential access to employment and city activities.

Anniversary celebrations included exhibitions, station events, guided tours, and street art. To commemorate the milestone, 30 collectible cards featuring historical vehicles, stations, and artworks were released, including thirty special Gold Cards distributed as part of a competition.