Brussels Tram Lines 7, 10, 35 Disrupted July 27–August 30

Brussels commuters face over a month of disruptions on tram lines 7, 10, and 35 as STIB, the Belgian capital’s public transport operator, carries out scheduled maintenance works from July 27 to August 30. The phased programme, timed to coincide with the traditional summer lull, will involve embankment repairs, track works, and service reconfigurations affecting key routes in northern and eastern Brussels.

According to RTBF, STIB is taking advantage of reduced commuter traffic during the summer holidays to perform essential infrastructure maintenance. The operator has planned alternative bus services and shuttle routes to mitigate the impact on passengers.

Phased Disruptions

The works are divided into two main phases, each targeting different sections of the network.

Phase 1 (July 27 – August 7): Repair of the embankment on Avenue de Tyras will interrupt tram 10 between Nelson Mandela and Hôpital Militaire. The Hôpital Militaire terminus will remain accessible via bus lines 47, 53, and 56.

Phase 2 (August 8 – August 30): More extensive works at Avenue des Croix de Feu and Pont Van Praet will trigger a cascade of service changes. Tram 10 will be limited to Docks Bruxsel from August 8 to 23, with bus 47 extended from Heembeek to Docks Bruxsel and bus 56 adding an extra stop at Chemin Vert. Tram 7 will be limited to Docks Bruxsel for the full duration from August 8 to 30, with a dedicated shuttle bus operating between Docks Bruxsel and Heysel via Esplanade. Tram 35 will be completely suspended from Saturday August 8 to Sunday August 30.

Alternative Transport Arrangements

STIB has announced several mitigation measures. “The STIB will offer several alternative solutions, in the form of reinforcements of its bus lines,” the operator stated, as reported by RTBF and Belga. Reinforced services on bus lines 47, 53, and 56, along with the dedicated shuttle between Docks Bruxsel and Heysel, are designed to maintain connectivity for affected commuters.

Broader Summer Maintenance Context

The disruptions to lines 7, 10, and 35 are part of a wider summer maintenance programme. As DHnet reported, approximately one in three tram lines in Brussels has faced major, long-term disruptions in 2026, with seven of the network’s 19 lines affected. Other ongoing summer works include disruptions to tram 92 due to Vivaqua water infrastructure works on Chaussée de Haecht, also running until August 30, as reported by BruxellesToday.

Tram 7 has been a particular focus of maintenance in 2026. Earlier in the year, the line was interrupted for two weeks in Uccle between April 25 and May 8 for track renewal works at the Churchill–Waterloo intersection.

Analysis and Implications

STIB’s strategy of concentrating major maintenance during the summer months reflects a deliberate effort to minimise disruption when commuter numbers are at their lowest. However, the cumulative effect of simultaneous works on multiple lines — affecting approximately half of the network’s 19 tram lines this summer — means that passengers in northern Brussels, particularly around Heysel, Docks Bruxsel, and Schaerbeek, face significant route changes.

The Brussels tram network, one of the oldest in the world dating back to 1869, spans approximately 215 km across the Brussels-Capital Region. STIB has been investing heavily in modernisation, including new trams, electric buses, and the major Metro Line 3 project, but the ageing infrastructure requires regular maintenance that inevitably causes service disruptions.

What to Watch For

Commuters are advised to plan alternative routes and allow extra travel time throughout the disruption period. STIB has indicated that normal service is expected to resume on all three lines by August 30, though passengers should monitor official STIB communications for any updates or extensions to the works. The question remains whether this concentrated summer maintenance schedule will be sufficient to reduce the frequency of disruptions during the rest of the year.