Stib diversion becomes permanent as new Schuman roundabout cannot accommodate buses

Six bus routes in Brussels' EU quarter that used to serve Schuman will be permanently diverted via Maelbeek after it was discovered that the newly redesigned Schuman roundabout is not able to accommodate buses.

The alternative routes that have been in place for almost two years were supposed to be temporary, Bruzz reports, until the square’s renovation was completed.

But Stib spokesperson Laurent Vermeersch said “this situation will remain unchanged, even after the works” because of issues with the retractable bollard system intended to prevent car traffic but allow buses to cross the Schuman roundabout.

Contractor Beliris began installing fibre reinforcement under the road surface last week to enable the retractable bollard system.

“Unlike traditional steel reinforcement, this is made of composite material to prevent magnetic interference with the detection loops of the retractable bollards - a technical solution that guarantees the reliability of the system,” Beliris said at the time.

But now it turns out that the system is not usable after all.

“The system with retractable bollards appears to be too complex, in combination with the high number of buses that have to pass through there,” said Vermeersch. “That is why a pragmatic decision has been taken.”

Three of the affected bus routes - 12, 21 and 79 - will still have a Schuman stop, but it will be located on Rue Franklin, behind the Berlaymont but not on the roundabout.

For bus lines 36, 56 and 79, which used to terminate at Schuman, the temporary terminus at Maelbeek will become the permanent one from 2 March. The other affected route, line 60, will also be diverted via Maelbeek and will no longer serve Schuman.

Stib said that while passengers will have to adjust, the situation also has advantages.

“The diversions with Maelbeek as the terminus had always applied during European summits,” Vermeersch said.

“These are taking place more and more often, sometimes at short notice, which causes surprises. For passengers, this new arrangement has the advantage of clarity, because Maelbeek will now always be the route.”

At Maelbeek, passengers can transfer to metro lines 1 and 5, and the Schuman train station is easily accessible via the entrance on Chaussée d'Etterbeek.

The permanent lack of bus access is not the only change to occur since work began on renovating the Schuman Square. Due to a lack of funds, the much-discussed canopy will not be built.