The Flemish public transport operator De Lijn is to make changes to around 1 in 3 of its routes. More than 320 of the around 1,000 routes operated by De Lijn across Flanders are affected.
In a press release on Thursday De Lijn said that some of the changes are routine adjustments in response to new school or train timetables, or changing conditions on the ground.
However, in addition to this cost-cutting is also a central factor driving the changes. The Flemish Government has imposed 44-million-euro savings target on De Lijn's operational structure.
Some of the affected routes will be scrapped, while others will have their frequency reduced. This could entail the scrapping of some early morning or evening services or modifications to routes.
In some cases, routes will be extended to compensate for cuts elsewhere. A small number of new routes will be added to De Lijn’s network. The focus will be on routes will low passenger numbers.
Passengers will be able to consult the revised timetable from 18 May on De Lijn's route planner app and the Flemish public transport company website.
Local authorities overruled
In 2019 Flanders was divided into fifteen transport regions. In each transport region representatives from municipal authorities sit on transport boards and play a formal role in shaping mobility policy for their area. Despite significant opposition from those that sit on the regional transport boards, De Lijn is pushing ahead with the changes.
De Lijn says "To achieve the savings target for 2026, the measures must be introduced from 1 July 2026. Any delay would mean that even more cost-cutting measures would have to be taken”.
Unions slam changes
The trade unions are deeply critical of the changes. The Christian trade union ACV Public Services says that "Anyone that is serious about improving accessibility, tackling climate change and promoting social inclusion must stop cutting services and start investing again in a reliable, frequent and accessible public transport network. What is happening today does exactly the opposite".
The socialist trade union ACOD goes further and calls on the regional transport boards to refuse to accept the cuts.