The Charleroi Metro was conceived when it was believed that Charleroi would grow enormously, you can clearly see it's a system that's built for a much larger city. Hence why they are still running those short trams instead of longer ones, that the frequencies are abysmal (3x/hr is no exception), etc. Charleroi was an industrial hub, but has been losing people from its peak in the early 60's to about the noughties, when it finally stabilised, while the demographers had the idea that the city would grow with several 10 thousand people... Too bad you missed some of the other extensions, the one to Gosselies is fairly new, just a bit of a shame that it doesn't serve the airport, just a km or 2 east of the line, there's the line to Anderlues, freshly renovated, the last 'proper' suburban light railway with lots of history... Yes, Charleroi-Ouest still sees trains, but it's on a secondary line (to Fleurus and Ottignies) with just one train an hour. I have been to Charleroi a few times, it's not great, but you really visited some of the worst parts, too. Go south or west, along the Sambre, and it can be quite bucolic in places. All in all, Charleroi is rather Hull than Grimsby, but also more Bradford than Halifax. There is definitely worse out there.
That’s really fascinating stuff mate I appreciate the comment! And I certainly agree there is definitely a nicer side to Charleroi as well; I saw some lovely cafes and restaurants while I was there
Actually, it was conceived as a make-work project due to some requirement in Belgiums dysfunctional government. It uses bad, outdated technology and Belgium's rustbelt economy was already crashing since the beginning of the sixties. Charleroi is still a mismanaged city filled with industrial relics. They need to rip out the tracks and drop the rolling stock into the english channels for fish farms and start all over again.
@@johnfalkenstine8377 Charleroi is still a pretty big city, in spite of the economic downturn it has experienced the last few decades. Is the light metro over-dimensioned? Yes. Could it be run more efficiently? Also yes. Buy some newer, low-floor vehicles of decent length, run them a little more frequent and it might actually work. There is work in Charleroi, the Airport has brought in a lot of new opportunities, there's still some specialised steel industry in the city... And Brussels with all its employment options is at under 1h away by train and car. I know quite a few people who moved to Charleroi and its region because of the lower cost of living, including some Flemish people... Charleroi is not in the best economical situation, but it's not a total industrial and financial wasteland, either.
Hello, Just some explanations (sorry if this does not have any link between sentence), We are using trams that were used in the previously existing tram network (SNCV : last line Charleroi La Louvière closed in 1990 you can still find video of this period on youtube). Why are we still using these because nearly before the end of the network there were tram that were bought and if not used there would never been used. Cartoon in the stations is because Dupuis is located in Charleroi (basket team is Spirou Charleroi also). Elevators stops if they are unused for a period of time. Janson station was less than 10 years ago close to an hospital (moved near Marie Curie stop on M3) but is still close to the stadium too bad metro stops at 20h45. The original project was 8 lines exiting from a central loop. Except if you go very far (if I remember correctly after Morgnies on line M1/M2) your ticket allows you to go any station. Waterloo station was planned to have 3 platforms that is why you have one unused platform that is not accesible. Just think that nearly all stations you visited were build around 40 years ago (some like Samaritaine had been refreshed). Too bad at 12:35 you missed the Marsupilami in the middle of the roundabout. You went to the end of M4 (Soleimont) where it is expected that people park their car near the station and use the line to reach the center. Regarding the west (Ouest) station the stairs that lead nowhere was made to reach quickly the adjacent metro station but the entrance was later closed (the stairs remained) Some other facts: Tec is currently building/renovating the line that was presented by the Tim Traveller (work is in progress) that will be the M5 and currently planned to open in 2026. I think you used the metro on Sunday just try to take it at peak hour during the week and it is crowded event with 2 trams connected together. I will add comment on other videos when I have time but I was happy to see someone doing a tour of our metro stations. I assume you were here during July or beginning of August based on the fact that the train line between Charleroi and Brussels was interrupted in Nivelles. Keep going
tell yourself that in rushes of your video they see me because I am a tram driver, and they see me with white hair when there is the control service at PARC
already been there never really felt unsafe besides in Leernes and i filmed there myself xD, and i haven't been on the renovated ones yet :) i wanted to go back after they finish Line M5 but that was pushed to 2027
I like traveling to places tourists don't frequent. Cool adventure.
The Charleroi Metro was conceived when it was believed that Charleroi would grow enormously, you can clearly see it's a system that's built for a much larger city. Hence why they are still running those short trams instead of longer ones, that the frequencies are abysmal (3x/hr is no exception), etc. Charleroi was an industrial hub, but has been losing people from its peak in the early 60's to about the noughties, when it finally stabilised, while the demographers had the idea that the city would grow with several 10 thousand people...
Too bad you missed some of the other extensions, the one to Gosselies is fairly new, just a bit of a shame that it doesn't serve the airport, just a km or 2 east of the line, there's the line to Anderlues, freshly renovated, the last 'proper' suburban light railway with lots of history...
Yes, Charleroi-Ouest still sees trains, but it's on a secondary line (to Fleurus and Ottignies) with just one train an hour.
I have been to Charleroi a few times, it's not great, but you really visited some of the worst parts, too. Go south or west, along the Sambre, and it can be quite bucolic in places. All in all, Charleroi is rather Hull than Grimsby, but also more Bradford than Halifax. There is definitely worse out there.
That’s really fascinating stuff mate I appreciate the comment! And I certainly agree there is definitely a nicer side to Charleroi as well; I saw some lovely cafes and restaurants while I was there
Actually, it was conceived as a make-work project due to some requirement in Belgiums dysfunctional government. It uses bad, outdated technology and Belgium's rustbelt economy was already crashing since the beginning of the sixties. Charleroi is still a mismanaged city filled with industrial relics. They need to rip out the tracks and drop the rolling stock into the english channels for fish farms and start all over again.
@@johnfalkenstine8377 Charleroi is still a pretty big city, in spite of the economic downturn it has experienced the last few decades. Is the light metro over-dimensioned? Yes. Could it be run more efficiently? Also yes. Buy some newer, low-floor vehicles of decent length, run them a little more frequent and it might actually work.
There is work in Charleroi, the Airport has brought in a lot of new opportunities, there's still some specialised steel industry in the city... And Brussels with all its employment options is at under 1h away by train and car. I know quite a few people who moved to Charleroi and its region because of the lower cost of living, including some Flemish people...
Charleroi is not in the best economical situation, but it's not a total industrial and financial wasteland, either.
Hello,
Just some explanations (sorry if this does not have any link between sentence),
We are using trams that were used in the previously existing tram network (SNCV : last line Charleroi La Louvière closed in 1990 you can still find video of this period on youtube).
Why are we still using these because nearly before the end of the network there were tram that were bought and if not used there would never been used.
Cartoon in the stations is because Dupuis is located in Charleroi (basket team is Spirou Charleroi also).
Elevators stops if they are unused for a period of time.
Janson station was less than 10 years ago close to an hospital (moved near Marie Curie stop on M3) but is still close to the stadium too bad metro stops at 20h45.
The original project was 8 lines exiting from a central loop.
Except if you go very far (if I remember correctly after Morgnies on line M1/M2) your ticket allows you to go any station.
Waterloo station was planned to have 3 platforms that is why you have one unused platform that is not accesible.
Just think that nearly all stations you visited were build around 40 years ago (some like Samaritaine had been refreshed).
Too bad at 12:35 you missed the Marsupilami in the middle of the roundabout.
You went to the end of M4 (Soleimont) where it is expected that people park their car near the station and use the line to reach the center.
Regarding the west (Ouest) station the stairs that lead nowhere was made to reach quickly the adjacent metro station but the entrance was later closed (the stairs remained)
Some other facts:
Tec is currently building/renovating the line that was presented by the Tim Traveller (work is in progress) that will be the M5 and currently planned to open in 2026.
I think you used the metro on Sunday just try to take it at peak hour during the week and it is crowded event with 2 trams connected together.
I will add comment on other videos when I have time but I was happy to see someone doing a tour of our metro stations.
I assume you were here during July or beginning of August based on the fact that the train line between Charleroi and Brussels was interrupted in Nivelles.
Keep going
really interesting stuff mate!
tell yourself that in rushes of your video they see me because I am a tram driver, and they see me with white hair when there is the control service at PARC
Well, that would requier me to GO to Charleroi, so no
already been there never really felt unsafe besides in Leernes and i filmed there myself xD, and i haven't been on the renovated ones yet :) i wanted to go back after they finish Line M5 but that was pushed to 2027
Waterloo in the Netherlands??
For 15 years.
Classical soup between the Low Countries and the Netherlands, I have heard worst