Brussels Trams

[OwlMan]

What routes are the old high floor trams still running on?

 

[MarcVD]

Not that much. 39 and 44 are your best bet, those two have no low floors at all. Also the most scenic. 81 also, only during the week.

 

[317666]

In addition to the above, the 51 and 97 use a high proportion of high-floor trams (the 51 does exclusively if memory serves), as well as the 93 using some on weekdays only - at least that was the case last time I was there!

The last of the modern T3000 trams has been delivered, and no more new trams are on order so I doubt any more of the old trams will be withdrawn until the North - South premetro tunnel is converted to heavy metro - then I would imagine that the T4000 trams freed up from that will replace more of the old PCC cars.

 

[MarcVD]

There is a new order for low floor trams in preparation. It becomes urgent to phase out the 7900 séries, which received no mid life refurbishment.

 

[317666]

There is a new order for low floor trams in preparation. It becomes urgent to phase out the 7900 séries, which received no mid life refurbishment.

That's interesting, so the 7900s just received the new colour scheme without having any mechanical work done? I would've thought that they would be more in favour of phasing out the remaining 7700s/7800s as they're older and lower capacity.

 

[MarcVD]

Only a limited interior refresh. Nothing done to the structure nor the traction chain. The 7900s will probably go out of service before the remaining 7500s.

 

[OwlMan]

I noticed the following in todays news. Looks like the high floor trams' lives are limited.

From http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english/Brussels/1.3139372
The Brussels public transport company MIVB has placed an order for 175 new trams with the Canadian company Bombardier that also has a factory in the West Flemish city of Bruges. In the first phase of the order 60 new trams will be built at a cost of 169 million euro.

In the first instance the new trams will be used to replace the MIVB’s oldest trams that have steps up to the carriage and are difficult to access for people with limited mobility and parents with young children in buggies.

The new trams will have wide doors and their floors will be at the same height as tram stop platforms. The order will also provide rolling stock for extensions to the capital’s tram network such as the new tram route 9 that is due to open later this year between the Simonis metro station and the UZ Brussels Hospital.

The 60 new trams will increase capacity on Brussels’ tram network by 4,600 place, an increase of some 7%.

The first of the new trams are due to be delivered in the spring of 2020. Bombardier will build two types of tram for MIVB: a short 32-metre long tram and longer 43-metre trams.

 

[alex397]

I shall be visiting Brussels tomorrow (via Eurostar) - a few months on from when this thread started, is it pretty much unchanged in terms of the high-floor tram routes? I am hoping to get a ride on one, as have never been able to on my previous visits. Thanks

 

[MarcVD]

No, no important changes. As posted before, your best options are 39/44 and 81 (only during the week, it's low floor during the week-end). There are also a lot of works going on for the moment, but none, as far as I know, that affects those 3 lines. As you will be here during a week-end, 81 won't be interesting, so may be line 51 for the 7900s.

 

[alex397]

No, no important changes. As posted before, your best options are 39/44 and 81 (only during the week, it's low floor during the week-end). There are also a lot of works going on for the moment, but none, as far as I know, that affects those 3 lines. As you will be here during a week-end, 81 won't be interesting, so may be line 51 for the 7900s.

Thanks for that MarcVD.

I traveled on the 51 on the Saturday, and it was operated with the old trams - didn't see any new trams on the route either. Considering their age, they still look in good condition inside and out, despite their age. For European trams, I was surprised how much padding was in the deats - very comfy! Was great to have a ride on these, as I find modern trams bland and characterless, but of course are much better for the public.