[ UrbanRail.Net ]     [ Europe ] [ Americas ] [ Asia ] [ Africa ] [ Oceania ]     [ News ] [ Books ] [ Links ]

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). Until 2011, a 25-km network was served by 4 tram routes (54, 55, 88, 89). With the completion of the central loop (0.9 km) and the extension to Soleilmont (1.8 km) in February 2012, the now 28-km network was restructered:

M1: Anderlues -Charleroi (anti-clockwise loop)
M2: Petria - Charleroi (clockwise loop)
M3: Gosselies - Charleroi (clockwise loop) - under construction
M4: Soleilmont - Charleroi (anti-clockwise loop)

There are 22 full metro stations, of which 12 are underground. There are underground loops at Beaux Arts and Waterloo, the latter being used by outbound line M4 trains 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
27 Feb 2012: Sud - Parc and Gilly - Soleilmont

 Projects

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

- 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.

TEC - Charleroi

Métro léger de Charleroi at Wikipedia.fr

Once-planned Prémétro Network (gif, 64K)

Pictures courtesy of © François Dierick