Flemish public transport company De Lijn is making major modifications to its schedule starting today. Many of the changes are part of the implementation of the final phase of efforts to introduce ‘basic accessibility’, De Lijn's plan for a more demand-driven public transport network. On the other hand, there are also a number of adjustments due to a shortage of drivers and buses. It is now a year since De Lijn introduced the second phase of its ‘basic accessibility’ plan. That led to a deluge of complaints.
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Bus and tram passengers beware: De Lijn makes major adjustments to its network
Colin Clapson
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De Lijn is making changes to about 10 per cent of its network as part of the last phase of the implementation of basic accessibility legislation. In doing so, De Lijn is providing extra focus to routes where demand is highest. Efforts are also being made to provide better connections with train services. The adjustments are a mix of new lines, adjusted routes, changed frequencies and new line numbers.
It's especially transport in the Leuven region that is now undergoing a major redesign. In that area, De Lijn is modifying some 40 per cent of the bus network. In other regions, the biggest changes to ensure basic accessibility were made earlier.
Among other things, De Lijn is expanding its flexi-bus offerings in the Kempen District, Flemish Brabant, East Flanders and Limburg. Flexbus is the successor to the former call-a-ride bus.
Bus and staff shortages impact too
Back in November, De Lijn announced further adjustments to its services. The Flemish transport company is still struggling with a shortage of about 150 drivers and it has to cut some 2.5 per cent of its services as a result.
De Lijn says it is making the adjustments where ‘passengers experience the least impact’, such as on weekend and late-night services, journeys for which there are alternatives, on high-frequency lines and little-used routes. The adjustments will be evaluated and changes may be made.
Many complaints, but also many changes
It has been a year since De Lijn introduced the second phase of its basic accessibility plan. At the time, this was the biggest change the transport company had ever made. More than 3,200 bus stops were scrapped, 17 per cent of the total number.
This led to a veritable deluge of complaints about poor service. During the first 11 months of 2024, De Lijn recorded 14,121 complaints. By comparison, there were only 5,744 in 2023. Indeed, the biggest spike in complaints coincided with the start of the reforms in January.
‘The number of complaints about services was especially high in January. Even in February there were more complaints than in 2023,’ De Lijn admits. ‘But from March onwards, you see that the number is almost in line with the previous year, 2023.’