14 trambuses ordered for new Brussels Airport link

Plans for a trambus service from Heysel to Brussels Airport from 2019 are taking shape, with the new route aiming to get 10,000 cars off the road every day.

Flemish public transport operator De Lijn has confirmed it has placed an order for 14 of the extra-long hybrid vehicles, which will mostly run in a dedicated lane and have priority at traffic lights.

"The trambus combines the comfort and efficiency of a tram with the flexibility of a bus," a De Lijn spokesman told Bruzz. The journey to the airport would take about 40 minutes, via Vilvoorde, Machelen and Diegem.

"We took Heysel as a starting point because it is in line with the Stib's plans to make more use of this area as a hub," the De Lijn spokesman added. The Neo shopping, leisure and housing complex is being built in the area.

The trambuses will partly run on electricity and the route will be accompanied by 23km of new cycle paths.