After nearly two years of disruption due to major engineering works, Brussels' iconic tram 44 is set to return on Saturday, linking Etterbeek's Montgomery station to the Flemish municipality of Tervuren.
Since August 2023, the line has undergone partial closures due to major refurbishments. Currently, most of line 44 is replaced by buses due to works along Avenue de Tervueren. Until now, tram 44 has only been operational between Brussels' Tram Museum and Montgomery, with buses making the journey to Tervuren.
Now, following work on 7 kilometres of track, which utilised a whopping 28 kilometres of rails, 22,000 concrete slabs, and new overhead cabling, the tram will once again make the entire journey to Tervuren. As part of the works, three tram stops (Trois Couleurs, Auderghem Forêt, and Ravenstein) have also been renovated.
Passengers will soon be able to enjoy the scenic route through the Soignes forest. Credit: STIB
To celebrate the reopening of the line, which skirts Brussels' eastern suburbs, crosses the picturesque Sogines forest, and finishes in Flanders, STIB/MIVB will introduce a special service on Saturday.
From 13:00 to 19:00, on the exact timetable as the regular service and in partnership with the Tram Museum, historic trams will be put back into service, allowing travellers to enjoy the scenery aboard emblematic pieces of Brussels' commuter history.
After this special opening day, the tram line will operate as usual, utilising its regular rolling stock of older generation trams. The transport company plans to introduce higher-capacity trams to the line sometime this summer. More modern trams may be introduced to the line in the future, following studies to assess the feasibility of adapting the Montgomery tram terminus.
A tram on line 44 awaits passengers at the Montgomery pre-metro station. Credit: STIB
According to STIB/MIVB, the reintroduction of the 44 service will be a boost for the Brussels region's tourism and help promote intermodality for travellers arriving from Flanders.
"It facilitates day-trips to the Soignes forest and Tervuren park, which are very popular with walkers and visitors," the transport company announced in a statement. The line should also help to encourage sustainable mobility. In 2023, the Flemish region constructed a park-and-ride facility in Tervuren, aiming to encourage commuters to ditch their cars and use STIB/MIVB infrastructure.
"Tram 44 will resume its mission of providing a green connection between Brussels and its eastern periphery," the press release concluded.
