Using all public transport in Brussels with a single ticket is possible thanks to the Brupass. Since February 1, 2021, an XL version has also existed to cover an extended perimeter of 11.5 km around the 19 municipalities of the capital. Problem: no preferential rate exists for students in this formula, whereas it is the case in the classic Brupass. A difference that frustrates and, above all, costs many parents dearly.
“The objective was the single ticket but I always have to take three subscriptions!“Martine has decided to press the orange Alert us button to tell us about her situation, which she considers to be surreal.”We live in Wolvertem and my daughter has to go to KUL Brussels where she is doing her master’s in translation“, explains the mother of the family. “The problem is that we are located in the Brupass XL area and there is no preferential rate for students.“
Brupass XL, what is it?
The Brupass is the name given to intermodal transport tickets in Brussels. It provides access to all means of public transport in the Brussels-Capital region. Before February 1, 2021, we were talking about MTB or Jump tickets. On this date, SNCB, TEC, De Lijn and STIB also launched an XL formula, extending the zone to 11.5 km around the 19 municipalities of Brussels. The price of Brupass XL ‘one-way’ tickets and subscriptions is higher than that of the classic, because this ticket covers more territory.
(c)SNCB
“Sometimes I have to telecommute in a park to save money”
As with all public transport subscriptions, a preferential rate exists for students, but only for the Brupass, at 52 euros per year. For the XL, there is nothing offered except a price without reduction of…583€ for the 12 months. “I find it completely crazy“, sighs Martine. “My daughter has to use the De Lijn, SNCB and STIB networks to get to her campus. Can you imagine the cost of these three subscriptions?“The mother thus pays 383 euros per year, obviously with the student advantages of each operator.”And again, I pay the train by quarter in order to save the period of blockade and examinations“, she explains.”And at those times, I still have to do the taxi for my daughter.“Martine’s situation becomes surprising when she has to wait for the end of the exam.”I sometimes have to telework in a park to save money and not have to take time off“, she exclaims. “I then sit on a bench, outside. It’s a real hassle.“
Too bad in our time where ecology is important
Martine’s case is not isolated. Alain also contacted us via the orange Alert us button to explain his situation. The 50-year-old moved from Anderlecht to Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, which had an impact on the family’s public transport journeys. “My son has to take the train from Ruisbroek station to Midi station to go to his school“, he indicates. “He must then take the STIB and De Lijn network.“The problem is that the first part of the journey is in the XL zone. And since there is no school rate, Alain resigned himself to taking out an SNCB season ticket in addition to the Brupass.”I pay 120 euros per year for a two-stop train journey“, he sighs. “And only 52 euros for the second part of the trip, which is much longer. I find it a bit of a shame in our time when ecology is important to always have to pay so much to travel by public transport.“
The four operators did not agree
Marie Thibaut de Maisières, spokesperson for Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt, explains that the problem is simple. “The various parties simply failed to agree on a student rate for the periphery“, she says. “But the price of transport for young people remains very cheap in Brussels.“
On the side of the cabinet of the Federal Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet, we refer to the SNCB for more information on this subject. Most travel between the outskirts of Brussels and the center is done by train. Marianne Hiernaux, the company’s spokeswoman, underlines the relative youth of the products. “They were launched on February 1, 2021“, she recalls. “We are still in the analysis phase, with the other transport operators. Depending on the results, we will assess the relevance of developing this product for students.“An analysis that will also take into account the product launch period, during the covid, during which there was”significantly changed travel habits.“
At present, no student tariff is therefore on the agenda for the Brupass XL but a door remains ajar for the future. For Martine, it is rather unsatisfactory. “It’s still a shame to have to continue to pay so much for transporting students to Brussels“, she sighs.