The Brussels local transport company, the MIVB, has to fork out around €4 million a year to repair damage to trams and buses and infrastructure in bus and metro stations. Vandalism remains a major problem. Think of graffiti on the walls, but also the windows and seats of vehicles, which can be targeted.
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Vandalism to vehicles and stations costs Brussels transport company 4 million euros per year
Colin Clapson
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‘All repairs to trams and buses are carried out at the MIVB's own repair workshop in Haren,’ says workshop manager Luc Aerts. 'At least two members of staff spend the whole year doing nothing but repairs after acts of vandalism. Knives and scissors are used to cut up the fabric or leather upholstery of seats in our vehicles. Damage to doors and windows is also commonplace. If we have to replace an entire seat with a backrest, it can sometimes take us two to three hours."
A lot of vandalism on New Year's Eve
The damage to bus, tram and metro vehicles in Brussels cost the MIVB around 1.9 million euros in 2024. In addition, more than 1.8 million euros was spent on infrastructure, on escalators, lifts, access gates, hatches and electrical installations in stations. Removing graffiti cost more than 250,000 euros. The MIVB notices that in Brussels vehicles are damaged, especially on New Year's Eve.
‘Vandalism not only costs a lot of money, but it also creates a lot of work for us and disrupts our services,’ says the MIVB’s Cindy Arents. ‘It reduces passenger comfort and causes vehicles to break down and become temporarily unusable.’
More patrols and more security staff
In 2024, 397 fines were issued on account of acts of vandalism, and 40 additional security staff were recruited to patrol the network. The vehicles and stations are equipped with more than 18,000 surveillance cameras. Despite these measures, vandalism on and around public transport in Brussels remains high.