A belt for an elevator system includes a tension member extending at least partially across a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, the tension member formed at least partially from a plurality of aromatic polyester based fibers, and a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the tension member. An elevator system includes a hoistway, an elevator car located in the hoistway and movable therein, and a belt operably connected to the elevator car to suspend and/or drive the elevator car along the hoistway. The belt includes a tension member extending at least partially across a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt. The tension member is formed at least partially from a plurality of aromatic polyester based fibers. A jacket material at least partially encapsulates the tension member.