Simonis and Elisabeth stations

Last updated

(STIB-MIVB) naambord Simonis.png (STIB-MIVB) Panneau ELISABETH.png
Bruxelles - Brussel - Metro - Simonis-Elisabeth (12160072383).jpg
General information
Coordinates 50°51′47″N4°19′50″E / 50.86306°N 4.33056°E / 50.86306; 4.33056
Owned by STIB/MIVB, Infrabel
Operated by STIB/MIVB, SNCB/NMBS
Platforms1 island platform (Simonis metro)
2 side platforms (Elisabeth metro)
2 side platforms (SNCB/NMBS)
2 side platforms (tram 19)
1 side, 1 island platform (tram 9)
Tracks11
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Platform levels2
History
Opened1982 (Simonis metro)
1986 (tram 19)
1988 (Elisabeth metro)
2009 (railway)
2019 (tram 9)
Services
Preceding station SNCB logo.svg NMBS/SNCB Following station
Thurn en Taxis
towards Dendermonde
S 10 Brussels-West
towards Aalst
Preceding station Brussels metro icon.svg Brussels Metro Following station
Simonis
Osseghem/Ossegem
towards Elisabeth
Line 2 Terminus
Line 6 Belgica
towards King Baudouin
Elisabeth
Terminus Line 2 Ribaucourt
towards Simonis
Line 6 Ribaucourt
towards King Baudouin

Simonis and Elisabeth are two interconnected stations on the Brussels Metro serving line 2 and line 6 on two different levels. Additionally Simonis is a railway station operated by the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB) and a tram stop.

Contents

The station complex is situated at the end of the Boulevard Léopold II/Leopold II-laan in the municipality of Koekelberg, in the western part of Brussels, Belgium. Simonis was named after the Place Eugène Simonis/Eugène Simonisplein, itself named after the sculptor Eugène Simonis; while the nearby Elisabeth Park, named after Queen Elisabeth, gives Elisabeth its name.

Simonis metro station opened on 6 October 1982 and is a transit station in north–south direction situated in a cutting next to a railway line. It serves as a transit station on line 6 and a terminus of line 2. Elisabeth metro station is orthogonal to and one level below Simonis and is a terminal station located at the end of the Boulevard Léopold II in east–west direction. It opened on 2 October 1988 and is the terminus for lines 2 and 6.

Naming

Between its opening in 1988 and 2013, Elisabeth was also known as Simonis. Until 2009, Simonis was a simple interchange station between metro lines 1A and 2. When the Brussels Metro "loop" opened in 2009, the north-western part of metro line 1A was connected to the other end of metro line 2, making line 2 an imperfect circle line (since a true circular train service is not possible, as the tracks at Simonis/Elisabeth are not connected). This resulted in the current situation, whereby the station complex is served twice by lines 2 and 6. [1]

To differentiate between the two station parts, the north–south through platforms were given the name Simonis (Leopold II), while the east–west terminating platforms were known as Simonis (Elisabeth). However, this did not improve the clarity of passenger information and thus, on 3 November 2013, Simonis (Leopold II) was reverted to simply Simonis, while Simonis (Elisabeth) became Elisabeth. [2] [3] The adjacent bus, tram and railway stops have not been renamed, and are all still known as Simonis.

Rail services

To the west of the stations, Brussels trams 9 and 19 call at underground platforms opened on 23 June 1986 (line 19) and 1 September 2018 (line 9), respectively.

To the east of and parallel to Simonis metro station, the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB) operates a local commuter station Simonis since December 2009. [4] It is served by the Brussels Regional Express Network (RER/GEN) service S10 between Dendermonde, Brussels, Denderleeuw and Aalst.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Belgium</span>

Transport in Belgium is facilitated with well-developed road, air, rail and water networks. The rail network has 2,950 km (1,830 mi) of electrified tracks. There are 118,414 km (73,579 mi) of roads, among which there are 1,747 km (1,086 mi) of motorways, 13,892 km (8,632 mi) of main roads and 102,775 km (63,861 mi) of other paved roads. There is also a well-developed urban rail network in Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Charleroi. The ports of Antwerp and Bruges-Zeebrugge are two of the biggest seaports in Europe. Brussels Airport is Belgium's biggest airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brussels Metro</span> Public rapid-transit system serving the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium

The Brussels Metro is a rapid transit system serving a large part of the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium. It consists of four conventional metro lines and three premetro lines. The metro-grade lines are M1, M2, M5, and M6 with some shared sections, covering a total of 39.9 kilometres (24.8 mi), with 59 metro-only stations. The premetro network consists of three tram lines that partly travel over underground sections that were intended to be eventually converted into metro lines. Underground stations in the premetro network use the same design as metro stations. A few short underground tramway sections exist, so there is a total of 52.0 kilometres (32.3 mi) of underground metro and tram network. There are a total of 69 metro and premetro stations as of 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North–South connection</span> Railway link through central Brussels, Belgium

The North–South connection is a railway link of national and international importance through central Brussels, Belgium, that connects the major railway stations in the city. It is line 0 (zero) of the Belgian rail network. With 1200 trains a day, it is the busiest railway line in Belgium and the busiest railway tunnel in the world. It has six tracks and is used for passenger trains, or rarely for a maintenance train when work is to be done on the railway infrastructure inside the North–South connection itself, but not for freight trains. It is partially underground and partially raised above street level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schuman railway station</span> Railway station in Brussels, Belgium

Brussels-Schuman railway station, officially Brussels-Schuman, is a railway station in the City of Brussels, Belgium, serving the European Quarter. It received its name from the area around the Robert Schuman Roundabout, itself named after Robert Schuman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merode station</span> Railway and metro station in Brussels, Belgium

Merode is a railway and metro station in Brussels, Belgium. It lies in the municipality of Etterbeek, near the border between Etterbeek, the City of Brussels and Schaerbeek. The metro end is under the Porte de Tervueren/Tervuursepoort, which is the start of the Avenue de Tervueren/Tervurenlaan, a major thoroughfare, while the mainline railway station end is under the Square Princesse Jean de Mérode/Prinses Jean de Mérodeplein. The two stations are connected by a long underground concourse punctuated by ticket barriers. The area is named in honour of Jean Philippe Eugène de Mérode.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maelbeek metro station</span> Metro station in Brussels, Belgium

Maelbeek or Maalbeek is a Brussels Metro station in the City of Brussels, Belgium. Its name originates from the Maalbeek stream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congress Column</span> Monumental column in Brussels, Belgium

The Congress Column is a monumental column in Brussels, Belgium, commemorating the creation of the Belgian Constitution by the National Congress of 1830–31. Inspired by Trajan's Column in Rome, it was erected between 1850 and 1859, on the initiative of the then-Prime Minister of Belgium, Charles Rogier, according to a design by the architect Joseph Poelaert. At the top of the column is a statue of Belgium's first monarch; King Leopold I, and at its base, the pedestal is surrounded by statues personifying the four freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution. The Belgian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with an eternal flame lies at its foot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brussels-Luxembourg railway station</span> Railway station in Brussels, Belgium

Brussels-Luxembourg railway station, officially Brussels-Luxembourg, is a railway station in the European Quarter of Brussels, Belgium, under the Esplanade of the European Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Brussels</span> Overview of transportation in the city of Brussels, Belgium

Brussels has an extensive network of both private or public transportation means. Public transportation includes Brussels buses, trams, and metro, as well as a set of railway lines and railway stations served by public trains. Air transport is available via one of the city's two airports, and boat transport is available via the Port of Brussels. Bicycle-sharing and car-sharing public systems are also available. The city is relatively car-dependent by northern European standards and is considered to be the most congested city in the world according to the INRIX traffic survey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jette railway station</span> Railway station in Brussels, Belgium

Jette railway station, officially Jette, is a railway station in the municipality of Jette in Brussels, Belgium, opened in 1892. The station, operated by the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB), is located south of King Baudouin Park on the Place Cardinal Mercier/Kardinaal Mercierplein. It lies on line 50, between Bockstael and Berchem-Sainte-Agathe railway stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brussels tram route 19</span> Tram route in Brussels, Belgium

The tram route 19 in Brussels, Belgium, is a tram route operated by STIB/MIVB, which connects the Flemish town of Groot-Bijgaarden in the municipality of Dilbeek to the De Wand stop in Laeken in the City of Brussels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brussels tram route 51</span> Tram route in Brussels, Belgium

The tram route 51 in Brussels, Belgium, is a tram route operated by STIB/MIVB, which connects Heysel/Heizel metro station in the City of Brussels to the Van Haelen stop in the municipality of Uccle. The route runs north–south, crossing the City of Brussels, Jette, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, the City of Brussels again, Saint-Gilles, Forest and Uccle. Currently, service is interrupted between Brussels-South railway station and Altitude Cent/Hoogte Honderd due to construction work at Albert premetro station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brussels Metro line 1</span> Metro line in Brussels, Belgium

Line 1 is a rapid transit on the Brussels Metro in Belgium operated by STIB/MIVB. It has existed in its current form since 4 April 2009, when the former line 1B, which ran between Stockel/Stokkel and Erasme/Erasmus, was shortened to Gare de l'Ouest/Weststation. The section between West station and Erasme is now served by line 5. The line serves 21 metro stations, and has a common section with line 5 between West station and Mérode station, and with lines 2 and 6 between West station and Beekkant. At Arts-Loi/Kunst-Wet the line also connects with lines 2 and 6. Railway connections are possible at Brussels-Central railway station, Schuman station, Mérode and West stations. The line crosses the municipalities of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Koekelberg, City of Brussels, Etterbeek, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre and Woluwe-Saint-Lambert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brussels Metro line 2</span> Metro line in Brussels, Belgium

Line 2 on the Brussels Metro is a rapid transit line in Brussels, Belgium operated by STIB/MIVB. It exists in its current form since April 4, 2009, when the section between Delacroix metro station and Gare de l'Ouest/Weststation was opened, which allowed to close the loop from and to Simonis/Elisabeth. The configuration of the Simonis/Elisabeth metro station though does not allow trains on the line 2 to be able to perform the loop several consecutive times in the same direction, i.e. a train running clockwise from Elisabeth will have to run counterclockwise from Simonis. The two termini of line 2 have thus received different names: originally Simonis (Elisabeth) and Simonis , changed in November 2013 to Elisabeth and Simonis. Between the Yser/IJzer metro station and the Porte de Hal/Hallepoort station, the line runs under the small ring road of Brussels, which is itself built on the former Second walls of Brussels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brussels Metro line 5</span> Metro line in Brussels, Belgium

Line 5 on the Brussels Metro is a rapid transit line operated by STIB/MIVB, which connects Herrmann-Debroux at the south-east of Brussels to Erasme/Erasmus at the south-west via the city centre. It exists in its current form since April 4, 2009, when the section of former line 1A between Beekkant and King Baudouin was replaced by the section of former line 1B between Beekkant and Erasme. Starting from Herrmann-Debroux, the line crosses the municipalities of Auderghem, Etterbeek, City of Brussels, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Koekelberg and Anderlecht. It serves 28 metro stations and has a common section with line 1 between Gare de l'Ouest/Weststation and Mérode station, and with lines 2 and 6 between West station and Beekkant. At Arts-Loi/Kunst-Wet the line also connects with lines 2 and 6. Railway connections are possible at Brussels-Central railway station, Schuman station, Mérode and West station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brussels Regional Express Network</span>

The Brussels S-train, also known as the Brussels Regional Express Network is a suburban rail system in and around the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium. It will offer fast connections and increased frequency within a 30 km (19 mi) radius of the region, covering a territory inhabited by 2.5 million people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brussels tram route 7</span> Tram route in Brussels, Belgium

The premetro and tram route 7 in Brussels, Belgium, is a tram route operated by STIB/MIVB, which connects the Vanderkindere stop in the southern municipality of Uccle with the Heizel/Heysel stop in Laeken in the City of Brussels, where connecting services of tram route 51, Metro line 6, as well as bus routes 84 and 88 depart. The colour of the signage for this line is bright yellow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of rail transport in Belgium</span>

Belgium was heavily involved in the early development of railway transport. Belgium was the second country in Europe, after Great Britain, to open a railway and produce locomotives. The first line, between the cities of Brussels and Mechelen opened in 1835. Belgium was the first state in Europe to create a national railway network and the first to possess a nationalised railway system. The network expanded fast as Belgium industrialised, and by the early 20th century was increasingly under state-control. The nationalised railways, under the umbrella organisation National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB), retained their monopoly until liberalisation in the 2000s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aalst railway station</span> Railway station in East Flanders, Belgium

Aalst railway station, officially Aalst, is a railway station in Aalst, East Flanders, Belgium. The station opened on 9 June 1853 and is located on railway lines 50 and 82. The train services are operated by the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB).

References

Notes

  1. "La STIB modifie son réseau de métro dès le 4 avril" (in French). 7-sur-7. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  2. Alan Hope (6 November 2013). "Simonis metro station renamed". The Bulletin. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  3. "Stib: fini Simonis (Elisabeth) et Simonis (Léopold II), place à Elisabeth et Simonis (+nouveau plan du réseau)" (in French). sudinfo.be. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  4. "NMBS en Infrabel openen twee nieuwe stations in Brussel" (in Dutch). treinreiziger.nl. 10 December 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2012.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Simonis metro station at Wikimedia Commons