Metro speed reduction test

The speed of the M7 metro trains on line 1 will be reduced between Montgomery and Tomberg stations, from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM, for a few days in the coming weeks. This test aims to assess whether slowing down the metro could help reduce the noise and vibration nuisances experienced by local residents.

The Montgomery–Tomberg section was selected due to the high number of complaints recorded in this area and for technical reasons that allow representative measurements to be carried out quickly.

This temporary measure follows several steps:

• In November 2024, the Brussels Ombudsman recommended in an official report to consider a night-time speed reduction as a transitional measure, pending a definitive solution.
• This recommendation was relayed in the Brussels Parliament by MPs Amélie Pans and Aurélie Czekalski (MR), who requested that the speed reduction be implemented without delay and maintained until a structural solution is found.

The nuisances suffered by residents living near the metro have been known since 2021 and are linked to a design problem with the wheels of the M7 trains. Despite several actions taken (grinding of rails and wheels, detection of defective wheels), the nuisances persist.

At this stage, the exact dates of the test have not been communicated. The citizen action STOP BRUIT METRO has formally requested the Minister for Mobility, Elke Van den Brandt, to make this information public without delay, so that residents can be properly informed and the test can be monitored transparently.