The first section of this tunnel was opened on 4 October 1976 between Brussels-North and Lemonnier premetro station. It was then expanded to Albert in 1993. It is currently used by tram routes 4, 10, 51 and 82. Only routes 4 and 10 use the full tunnel. Route 51 uses it between Lemonnier and Albert and route 82 between Lemonnier and Brussels-South railway station.
North–South Axis in the context of Brussels tram route 4
The premetro and tram route 4 in Brussels, Belgium, is operated by STIB/MIVB, and connects the Stalle Parking stop in the southern municipality of Uccle to Brussels-North railway station in the municipality of Schaerbeek. It was created on 2 July 2007 as a new route between Esplanade and Stalle Parking. On 31 August 2009, the route was shortened with a new terminus at Brussels-North, while line 3 was expanded between Brussels-North and Esplanade. The colour of the signage for this line is pink.
Following the disbandment of line 3 in 2024, only tram lines 4 and 10 remain in the North–South Axis that runs underneath the Pentagon (Brussels' city centre). Both lines 4 and 10 have a 6-minute schedule during rush hour and are serviced by the modern low-floor trams (Bombardier T3000 and T4000).
The station opened on 17 December 1969 as a premetro station on the tram line between De Brouckère and Schuman. This station was upgraded to full metro status on 20 September 1976, serving former east–west line 1 (further split in 1982 into former lines 1A and 1B). Since 4 October 1976, the station has also accommodated North–South Axis premetro services at separate platforms. Then, following the reorganisation of the Brussels Metro on 4 April 2009, it is served by lines 1, 3, 4 and 5 Line 3 was disbanded in 2024 and replaced by the new line 10.
North–South Axis in the context of Albert premetro station
Albert (French pronunciation:[albɛʁ]; Dutch pronunciation:[ˈɑlbərt]) is a premetro (underground tram) station located on the border between the municipalities of Saint-Gilles and Forest in Brussels, Belgium. The station is at the crossroad between the Avenue Albert/Albertlaan on the Greater Ring and the Chaussée d'Alsemberg/Alsembergsesteenweg, between Forest Park and Saint-Gilles Prison.
The station is the last stop south of the North–South Axis, a tram tunnel crossing the city centre from Albert to Brussels-North railway station. Tram routes 4 and 10 stop at this station. There is also a connection at ground level with tram route 51, as well as bus routes 48 and 54.
The metro station opened on 2 October 1988 as part of the Louise/Louiza–Gare du Midi/Zuidstation extension of line 2 from Simonis. Line 2 has since been extended beyond Gare du Midi to Clemenceau in 1993, Delacroix in 2006, and Gare de l'Ouest/Weststation in 2009. Since 3 December 1993, the station has also accommodated North–South Axis premetro services at separate platforms (the metro operates one level below the premetro lines). Then, following the reorganisation of the Brussels Metro on 4 April 2009, it is served by lines 2, 3, 4 and 6. Line 3 was disbanded in 2024 and replaced by the new line 10.
The station on the Small Ring opened on 18 August 1974 as a premetro station, and on 4 October 1976, a second premetro station on the North–South Axis was opened under the Small Ring station. The first premetro station became a heavy metro station, serving line 2, when this line under the Small Ring was converted on 2 October 1988. Then, following the reorganisation of the Brussels Metro on 4 April 2009, it now lies on the joint section of lines 2 and 6.
The metro station opened on 2 October 1988 as the southern terminus of line 2 from Simonis. Line 2 has since been extended beyond Gare du Midi/Zuidstation to Clemenceau in 1993, Delacroix in 2006, and Gare de l'Ouest/Weststation in 2009. Since 3 December 1993, the station has also accommodated North–South Axis premetro services at separate platforms, with cross-platform interchange between metro and premetro in both directions. Then, following the reorganisation of the Brussels Metro on 4 April 2009, it is served by lines 2, 3, 4 and 6. Line 3 was disbanded in 2024 and replaced by the new line 10.
Brussels-North is the end point of the premetro (underground tram) North–South Axis (on lines 4 and 10), and an important node of the Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company (STIB/MIVB), as well as of bus lines of the Flemish transport company De Lijn. More than 30 regional bus lines depart from there, as do international Eurolines coach services.
