Since the introduction of its new transport plan last Saturday the Flemish local transport company De Lijn has received over 500 complaints.
Since the announcement of the new plan last November De Lijn received over 3,000 complaints and queries. Since the actual implementation of the plan last Saturday complaints soared further.
Flemish lawmaker Karin Brouwers (Christian democrat) says the complaints must be examined thoroughly ASAP. Adjustments have to be made and if that costs money that’s just the way it is. Ms Brouwers isn’t surprised by the number of complaints given the major changes to the way De Lijn is now operating: “People need to find new stops and learn how to operate Ring-a-Bus”.
She notes that 90% of De Lijn’s users are people who have no alternative: school children, the elderly, people in rural areas without their own transport. “They are now being left out in the cold” she notes.
Problems will be sorted
Flemish mobility minister Lydia Peeters (liberal) has promised teething problems will be sorted. The new plan is based on demand and that continues to enjoy the minster’s support. Ms Peeters believes a well-operating De Lijn can be an attractive alternative for the car: “It wasn’t always in the past: there were empty buses driving around in rural areas”.
“Reliability must be increased forthwith” says Ms Peeters. She believes most problems can be quickly sorted but replacing a Ring-a-Bus by a regular service will cost.
Throwing cash at problem not the solution
Flemish finance minister Matthias Diependaele (nationalist) warns against extra expenditure. “We must ditch the idea that problems can only be sorted with more money”.
The finance minister points to the extra cash De Lijn is already receiving and believes greater cost-efficiency can still be realised.