Porte de Namur, one of the oldest metro stations in Brussels, has been refurbished with new technical equipment and a fresh coat of paint.
The station was refurbished with six new escalators, lighting, cameras, loudspeakers and access gates as well as new flooring, walls and ceiling coverings, Brussels Mobility announced on Monday. The fire-fighting system and furniture were also renovated and platforms were fitted with new tiles (including guide tiles for visually impaired people) and new signage.
Access gates were also relocated and walls have been painted with anti-graffiti spray. Two existing works of art were enhanced and another fresco created by the Au Quai collective was installed.
Credit: Brussels Mobility
"Brussels Mobility is pushing to create more pleasant, attractive stations, without waiting for a total renovation that lasts for years," said Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen). "The station will have greatly improved accessibility for all STIB travellers, better lighting, an increased sense of security and a more comfortable travel experience tout court."
The refurbishment is part of a longer project aiming to update between two and four stations every year. The next stations to be renovated are Diamant, Stokkel, Ossegem and Étangs Noir.
Grouping all the works allows the renovations to be carried out more quickly and cheaply, with less inconvenience to passengers, said Philippe Yenny, Director of the Public Transport Infrastructure Department of Brussels Mobility.
