Gare du Nord busses 'running smoothly' in new location, says De Lijn

Alternative services put on by De Lijn to avoid the underground bus stop at Gare du Nord Station have been "running smoothly," according to the Flemish public transport company. De Lijn suspended its stops at Gare du Nord after recurrent complaints from its staff about a lack of safety and hygiene - as well as the spread of disease - in and around the Brussels station. 

After consultation with the unions, the transport company proposed an alternative solution for passengers. As of Tuesday morning, they can get off at the temporary stop on Place du Nord, in front of the station.

"The drivers are on the spot and the passengers are finding their way to the new bus stop," said De Lijn spokesman Tom Van de Vreken. "Everything is going according to plan. De Lijn staff are also present on site to guide travellers," he added.

Update #BrusselNoord. Noordplein = eindhalte alle bussen naar station. Rogier = vertrekhalte alle buslijnen. Uitzondering: lijn 471, met eind- en vertrekhalte op Solvayplein. #DeLijn pic.twitter.com/4SOmznrpLz

— De Lijn (@delijn) May 6, 2019

Brussels transport company STIB also announced on Monday that it will "temporarily" relocate its bus stops located at Gare du Nord due to health and safety concerns, according to a company spokesperson.

The changes were effective as of Tuesday morning, and impact bus lines 61 and 20. 

Jules Johnston
The Brussels Times