Our Lost Property department, based at metro station Botanique for some time now, processes thousands of items left behind on our network every year. Between 7,000 and 8,000 objects are found each year, then carefully sorted, registered and stored to maximise their chances of being reunited with their owner. It is essential behind-the-scenes work, serving both passengers and colleagues.
A brief moment’s distraction, a thrilling conversation, that’s all it takes for disaster to strike: you leave your umbrella, scarf or MOBIB card behind on the platform or in the vehicle. Fortunately, chances are that this story ends well after all. When a member of STIB-MIVB staff, or the driver at the end of their shift, find your item, they will hand it in at the depot. These items are then sent to the Lost Property office, located in metro station Botanique.
Among the found items, there’s a lot of classics: wallets, gloves, glasses and keys. But STIB-MIVB’s Lost Property team has also encountered some rather… unusual objects!
Among the odd finds:
- a lawyer’s gown
- a bike without saddle
- a case containing the conducting tools of a music conductor from Cologne
- a trumpet
- false teeth
- an electric guitar
- forgotten Christmas presents
- a bag containing champagne, sausages and other delicacies for New Year
- a wheelchair
- hairdressing mannequin heads
- a ‘Toothless’ dragon cuddly toy
- a large mixing machine for construction sites
We haven’t been told whether the owner of the bike came to collect it (perhaps they decided the metro was quicker after all?) but we do know that many items are still waiting for their owners. On average, 21% of lost items find their way back to their owner. Most found items are kept for about two months.
What to do if you lose an item?
The best thing to do is to fill in the form on our website. We will contact you as soon as we find it. You can also contact Customer Care on 02 563 89 17, or via our social media channels.
Our Lost Property Office is loacted in the metro station Botanique and is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12 to 6pm. To collect a found item, you will need to present your identity card and pay a €5 administrative fee. Payment by Bancontact is also possible. You will be asked to sign the receipt, to which a copy of your identity card will be attached.
What to do if you find an item?
Don’t unleash your inner Sherlock! Simply hand it in to a member of our staff. They will make sure it is taken to the lost property office.
What does the STIB-MIVB do with non-collected items?
The STIB-MIVB donates these non-reclaimed found items to three organisations: Les Petits Riens/Spullenhulp, Thermos and training centre CF2M.