The Liège tram has officially and happily entered service - RTBF Info (2025)
YouTube name: RTBF Info.
Date: .
City: Liège (Belgium).
Le Tram
Operational
Liège tram line T1: Sclessin, Standard - Liège Expo
Operational
A truly family-friendly atmosphere filled the first tram, which was packed from the moment it started at 4:22 a.m. in Liège. Damien, the driver, was joined by his family and many residents of Liège, all eager to take part in this symbolic moment for the city. Today, Monday, April 28th, is indeed D-Day. Liège residents, commuters, and tourists can board between Sclessin and Coronmeuse. It's an incredible journey back in time for those who remember the tram... 60 years ago.
The tram is rising from the ashes today after many setbacks and delays, along with changes in strategy following the abandonment of the extensions to Seraing and Herstal. Shopkeepers, in particular, suffered greatly from the organization of the construction site and the resulting delays. You can read the full story of the new tram here. For users, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike, we'll have to get used to this new player in Liège's transportation system, as well as the famous and frequent... ding ding.
The practical tram: The tram will operate daily from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., running every five minutes during rush hour and every 7 to 15 minutes during off-peak hours, as promised by the TEC. The fare is the same as the bus fare: $2.60 if you buy a ticket on the bus; $1.15 with a multi-trip pass. The line has 23 stations, many of which connect to a bus network. Two large overflow parking lots are available in Sclessin and Coronmeuse, for a flat rate of $1.50 per day.
Hello everyone. Welcome to the tram. Yes, it's a bit of an unusual place for the news, but as you know, the Treasury team likes to leave the studio to meet you. Today is a special occasion with the commissioning of the tram here in Liège. Some thought this tram would never see the light of day, as the commissioning was initially scheduled for October 2022. There was a slight delay. We will have the chance to talk about it again, but for now, we'll take advantage of the opportunity since the tram is running; it's stopped. I plan to move around because it will start up again soon.
Many people have gathered since this morning, and I have Ben next to me among the first passengers. So, sir, what are your first impressions of this brand-new tram? Hello. Well, the tram is really great. It's a vehicle that runs smoothly. You don't feel the bumping of the yellow bus when it's moving. Now, we’re arriving at the heart of the city, where more people are gathering. It might feel a bit more crowded, but having this mode of transport in our city is truly a luxury. I even took a half-day to explore the city. Oh, perfect—a happy passenger. And you, young man, do you think this tram in Liège will change your life? I believe so. It’s easier to move around Place de Liège; it takes less time, it looks better, and it's more satisfying to see. And just like that, everyone seems happy. First. There you go, happy people indeed. Soon, we’ll be approaching the center of Liège, and I invite you to see the full route: 11.7 km from Liège Expo to Coromeuse, passing through the city center and the famous Place Saint-Lambert. It typically takes about 30 minutes. We aren’t in the very first car; that one finished much earlier.
There was a lot of impatience, especially among passengers who stayed overnight. François Roado and Benjamin Brône bring us this exciting moment. Damien Grenier is the first to pass through his doors. It's a little after 4 a.m. The young driver is preparing for a highly anticipated start of service. It's a very emotional moment. Yes, in four minutes, we'll finally leave the depot and load the first passengers. I'm really excited to see the people of Liège, the Liégeois, boarding. About a hundred of them are waiting at the first stop, eager to ride the first tram. Are you the driver's mother? Yes, I am. An emotional mother, then. Absolutely, proud. There you go. I'm happy for my son to be in the first spotlight.
Welcome aboard this first tram. I wish you a safe and enjoyable trip. We came as a family. Perfect. Why? We wanted to be part of the first tram ride. We were excited to wake up early. It felt like going on vacation, but honestly, it's almost even better. I asked my friends what Monday was like at 82 years old. They said, well, nothing at all. So I said, "Come take the tram, we'll be fine." The Liégeois’ spirit was there despite the early start; the atmosphere was festive. It’s a party. We're here for the tram. Come on. It's strange to see so many people. Did you expect that? Oh no, not at all, not at this time of day.
Charlemann station. In the early morning darkness, the stops pass by. The tram is shaping the new backbone of Liège’s transit network, promising a significant revolution in mobility. It's flowing traffic more smoothly, and I think it's good for the environment, too—an important issue nowadays. A small, discreet passenger just slipped in among the commuters. Molly wisely accompanied her owner on this inaugural trip. She’s calm on her first ride, getting used to the tram and bus. So, she's already a public transportation dog. Everyone’s happy to see the first tram dog today. There were some criticisms this morning. Despite years of waiting, the tram now needs to find its rhythm and bring back city center customers, who are tired of the endless construction. We’re still on the tram in Liège. We stop at Charlemann station. There are 23 stations along the route. So, in terms of mobility, it's bound to change how people in Liège get around. That's the goal, at least, since the tram runs on a dedicated lane. It currently averages 20 km/h—only 7 km/h during rush hour, which is a significant advantage. However, on May 1st, a lengthy construction zone caused many inconveniences in the city. And now, we’ll discuss this with someone.