Three Different Kinds of Public Transportation Lines in Brussels

There are three different kinds of public transportation lines in Brussels.  Some people may think that those lines are subways, tramps, and buses.  Of course, there are subways, tramps, and buses in Brussels as in any other European cities.  What I am going to talk about is a little bit different dimention in public transporation in Brussels.  This unique characteristic of public transportation systems of Brussels originates from two different language areas.

All subways, tramps, and buses running within Brussels-Capital Region are run by STIB-MIVB.  Buses connecting Wallonia to Brussels are operated by TEC whereas those linking between Flanders and Brussels-Capital Region are run by De Lijn.

Why is it important for us?  That is because we cannot use STIB-MIVB tickets in either TEC buses or De Lijn buses.  Tickets for either TEC buses or De Lijn cannot be used for STIB-MIVB buses.  However, don't worry.  There is an omnipotent ticket.  This is cash.  If you did not buy a ticket before getting in a bus or a tram, you can buy a ticket from a driver.  In a subway, you cannot buy a ticket because you cannot approach a driver.  Ticket inspection in a subway is very low likelihood.  Ticket inspection is done in a subway station, not within a subway car.