STIB (the Brussels public transport provider) will test journey times for the new route implemented for its buses, which link the capital to Brussels Airport. Following this trial run, it is “highly likely” that the public transport organisation, will take the decision to operate bus routes 12 and 21 to the airport, indicated Françoise Ledune, a STIB spokeswoman on Wednesday.
Brussels Airport became inaccessible to public transport after the attack which struck on March 22nd. The airport located in Zaventem, however, resumed part of its operations on Sunday. This Wednesday (today), some 180 flights are anticipated.
The De Lijn buses were, once again, operating right up to the airport from early Wednesday morning. STIB, for its part, has said that re-establishing the link will take a little time, as it is necessary to finalise an alternative route.
“We learned yesterday (Tuesday) that we could, once again, access the airport, which will allow us to test the journey time of the new route, so as to provide the correct information to customers. However, we had to give 24 hours advance notice. The trial run will take place today (Wednesday)”, explained Mme Ledune.
If the trial is concluded to be workable, which is “highly likely” to be the case, the STIB buses, will, once again, serve Brussels Airport from Thursday, proffered the spokeswoman.
La SNCB (the Belgian rail provider ), says it cannot provide any deadline for reopening the the station located below the airport. “The station is closed for security reasons. It is not within the power of SNCB to decide upon its reopening. The police and others responsible for the airport also have a say,” a spokesman from the railway company Thierry Ney stresses.
(Source: Belga)
