When a Metro is not a Metro
Metro. Tube. Underground. U-Bahn. All mean the same thing – a train that is primarily underground, that is a form of rapid transit and which may surface occasionally, especially at the very end of a particular line (which typically would be out in the suburbs anyway)
Not so in Belgium.
A tram, not a metro. Unless it's a Belgian tram
Here in Belgium, a Metro is all of the things listed above, but then there is the tram network which also happens to run underground and is also a form of rapid transit and which also surfaces at the end of the specific lines. However, these non-metro machines are referred to as pre-metro. So if you’re in Brussels (or Antwerp) and are looking for a tram stop, it might be underground but asking for a metro stop won’t necessarily help much.
Sigh.
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[...] and I worry needlessly. The Unexpected Father makes sure that the relevant information about trams, destinations, tram stop names is in his back pocket. All goes well. Apart from [...]
Not too experienced with the Brussels metro system, I decided to start researching and getting myself familiarized with it for my sister’s trip to Europe in August (never too early to start planning!) I remember reading this post a few weeks back and kept it in mind as I was looking up routes and timetables. It confuses me that lines 1, 2, 5, 6 are “metro” whereas 3, 4, 7 are “tram” lines…? Then there are these other tram lines with seemingly random numberings…heh, funny Belgians. Also it didn’t help that “Botanique” station is “Kruidtuin” in Dutch. Oh boy.
You are completely right! The numbering system and the interchangeability of trams and metros is confusing even for us locals! And do be careful of french/dutch station names which can add to the confusion too.
Hope you and your sister enjoy your stay here … When in Aug will you be here? There’s the bi-annual floral exhibition in the middle of the month that is always rather lovely.
She’ll be arriving in mid-August so yes we will definitely be there for the Flower Carpet! I’m heading back to Belgium in mid-June actually, hope the summer brings some sun
What makes this post even more awesome is that you used the picture of a tram in Bordeaux, which is where I live, woohoo
Well the Spring has not brought much sun (yet) but it’s anyone’s guess what summer will be like. Usually it is pleasant enough though.
I used the pic of that tram by searching for one as I did not have time to go and take a photo of my own!