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Charleroi lies some 70 km south of Brussels in the French-speaking part of Belgium and has some 550,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area.

The Charleroi Metro is a typical prémétro network, i.e. trams that run underground in the city centre and on viaducts or separate right-of-way through outer parts (similar to German Stadtbahn systems). In the 1970's a large network (52 km with 69 stations) was planned to be finished by the mid-1990's. Starting from a loop around the city centre, 8 branches were to cover the entire metropolitan area of Charleroi. But due to unknown problems, construction was suspended and today's network remains unfinished and under-utilised.

A first section was taken into service in 1983 (Sud - Beaux-Arts - Dampremy). The total length of network is now 25 km, served by 4 tram routes (54, 55, 88, 89). There are 20 full metro stations, of which 11 are underground. At Beaux Arts (for line 89) and Waterloo (for line 55), there are underground loops used during normal service.

The 'métro léger' (light metro) is operated by TEC, a company responsible for all public transport in Wallonie, the French-speaking part of Belgium.

24 May 1983: Sud - Beaux-Arts - Dampremy; Morgnies - Paradis

28 Aug 1992: Beaux Arts - Gilly; Providence - Moulin; Fontaine

30 Aug 1996: Waterloo - Parc

 Projects

After many years of no progress, the Charleroi Metro is now being further developed:

- Parc - Sud link in the city centre with trams running on the surface
- After Gilly, the two unexploited stations will be opened, a third one will be added
- The former tramway line (now used to access the depot) to Lodelinsart, Jumet and Gosselies will be operated with tramways
- The unexploited lines to Chatelineau (Centenaire station) will remain closed.

- OPERATION

The Charleroi Métro operates from 5:00 to 20:00, lines 54 and 55 run alternately every 5 minutes on weekdays, at weekends every 10 minutes. Lines 88 and 89 run alternately every 15 minutes on weekdays, at weekends only every 30 minutes.

- FARES (2008, in Euro)

All tickets are valid for all public transport within the city zones 1-2 (buses, prémétro and local SNCB railways):

Single - 1.30
8 Trips - 7.80

Weekly Pass - 10.60

TEC - Charleroi

Métro léger de Charleroi at Wikipedia.fr

Charleroi Light Rail

Once-planned Prémétro Network (gif, 64K)

All pictures courtesy of © François Dierick