Charleroi Metro

The Charleroi Metro (French: Métro léger de Charleroi, sometimes abbreviated as MLC, generally referred to as the Metro, or Métro de Charleroi in French) is a 25 km (16 mi) express tram network in Belgium, consisting of a loop line around central Charleroi and two branches towards the suburbs of Gilly and Anderlues. A third branch to Châtelet was partially built but never entered service. The current system was opened in 7 phases ranging from 1976 to 2012 and counts 28 stations, of which 24 are in service as of 2012, and 6 regular tram stops in Anderlues with 18 more to come when line M3 opens in 2013. The original plans were much more extensive with 8 branches radiating from the central loop, but had to be abandoned due to high costs and low prospective passenger numbers. For most of its existence, the metro of Charleroi has been considered in Belgium as an iconic example of an unnecessary project and a waste of public money.