Several dozen people held a protest outside the office of Brussels mobility minister Elke van den Brandt (Groen), denouncing her decision not to renew Stib’s ageing fleet of minibuses from 2027, which have been providing transport for people with reduced mobility for almost 50 years. The plan is to outsource the service to a taxi company for the same prices and conditions, but protestors worry about the quality of service. “Our wheels are moving forward, your decisions are holding us back,” read one protest slogan,
referring to wheelchair users. “Have you invented teleportation? We’ll certainly need it,” read another. Gabriela Stanciu, who organised the protest, said a taxi company will never be able to match the services provided by Stib’s minibuses. “There are many non-standard wheelchairs,” said Stanciu. “There are many disabled people who also have assistance dogs. Take people with autism, for example: they’re used to having the same person come and pick them up. “With taxi drivers, it’s not the same: they’re in a hurry to pick up
another fare, drive off very quickly, and often leave us on the pavement.” Another protestor and long-standing user of the Stib service pointed out that its drivers do far more than simply pick up and drop off passengers. “The minibus driver accompanies the person right to where they need to go,” said Marie Crétel. “If someone has difficulty expressing themselves, the driver will help them introduce themselves, explain that they have an appointment at a particular department, that they need a certain document, and then
accompany them right to that department.” The protesters wanted to meet with Van den Brant to discuss their concerns but she was absent. Two members of her cabinet will be responsible for passing along a petition of almost 700 signatures to the minister. If the petition secures 1,000 signatures, the Brussels parliament will have to hear the petitioners.
Brussels, Stib, disabled transport, reduced mobility, minibuses, Elke van den Brandt, petition, wheelchair users, taxi outsourcing, Brussels parliament