In the neighborhood, just a year ago, we could still see posters popping up in windows: “No to the suffocation of NOH businesses by the Stib line“, “pro-bus“…Today, less than four months after the commissioning of line 10, the tone has dropped significantly.
The first tram driver of line 10 to Neder-Over-Heembeek is King Philippe (PHOTOS)
“It’s less catastrophic than expected”honestly notes Ulas from the Carrefour store. “Was this tram necessary? I still doubt it. But hey…” Not forgetting the recent past: “The construction site was catastrophic. But since it ended, we’ve seen people come back here that we haven’t seen for a long time, especially elderly people.”
“For deliveries, it’s complicated”
Among traders, virulent criticism remains. Mainly linked to the reduction in parking spaces. “Customers liked to come by car. It is impossible to park now. For deliveries, it’s complicated too. We have to park near the church and walk… but it’s heavy“, says Jawed from a night shop, pointing at the multiple packs of water bottles on the shelves of his shop. “Or we unload quickly in front, but with the trams that pass often, you have to go very quickly.”
“It’s not positive for the neighborhood. This tram brings drug addiction from the Gare du Midi,” deplores a seller near Zavelput. “The neighborhood has changed a lot. We lost the countryside side.”
“Personally, I have more customers,” points out an independent, who also prefers to remain anonymous to comment on this obviously still sensitive subject in Neder-Over-Heembeek. “The parking lot? Even before, it was very complicated to park.”
Tram lines 92, 93, 10 and 62 disrupted for months in Brussels: here is the map of the STIB network from this Monday, January 13, 2025
“It’s really easy”
Those who take the tram do not hide their praise. “Oh, I’m very happy“, smiles Bernadette, at the completely redeveloped Zavelput stop. The 76-year-old Heembeekoise regularly uses line 10 to go to the center. “Before, it was much more complicated. This line is magnificent.” Same enthusiasm from Mohamed, at the Peter Benoit stop. “I take this tram every day, it’s really easy. To go to Porte de Hal for example, it’s much better than before and we save time”
As a reminder, this line 10 took over a large part of the route of tram 3, which has since disappeared: this connection 10 leaves from Churchill, goes to Albert, Gare du Midi, Bourse, Rogier, Gare du Nord, Docks Bruxsel , then take the newly built section in Neder-Over Heembeek to the military hospital. To ensure the Heembeek-Esplanade section, formerly served by line 3, a new and ephemeral line 35 was created, with a terminus at Place des Bienfaiteurs in Schaerbeek.
