From tomorrow, the Flemish public transport company De Lijn will implement significant changes to its network.
This marks the final phase of the ambitious plan for basic accessibility, which focuses on more efficient and demand-driven public transport. At the same time, some adjustments are being made due to a shortage of drivers and buses. The changes will impact various transport regions, including Leuven, Mechelen, the Flemish periphery, Kempen and Antwerp.
With a restructuring of approximately 10 percent of the network, De Lijn hopes to better align the service with the needs of the traveler. New lines, modified routes, higher frequencies and a more logical line numbering should make public transport more attractive.
focus on efficiency
One of the most important principles of the renewed network is efficiency. By optimising routes and focusing more on routes with high demand, De Lijn wants to make transport more accessible and user-friendly. For example, the old line 136 will now be referred to as line R36 (Groot-Bijgaarden – Alsemberg). The route will not change here, but more journeys will be added. The frequency will be increased, especially on Saturdays, with a bus every 15 minutes between Dilbeek, Brussels-South and Alsemberg.
The timetable will also be more flexible. For example, buses will start earlier on Sundays and will continue running longer in the evenings.
Flexible transport
In areas with lower transport demand, De Lijn is focusing more on flexible transport. This demand-driven system, in which passengers can reserve a bus on demand, is being expanded in the Kempen and in regions such as Kortenberg-Bertem. At the same time, existing flexible regions are being strengthened to meet the growing demand.
In Oudenaarde, a night flex service will start on Friday and Saturday evenings. Travelers can use flexible transport options until 1.30:XNUMX AM that connect to existing stops of regular bus lines. In Hageland, extra buses will be deployed and the service times on Sundays and public holidays will be extended considerably.
To make the network more accessible, train, tram and bus are better coordinated. For example, new lines such as 20 and 21 connect the stations of Leuven and Mechelen via the Mechelsesteenweg (N26), with frequent transfer options. Thanks to the coordinated timetable, travellers between Herent and Leuven can count on a bus every 15 minutes.
The line numbering will also be clearer. City lines with a high frequency will get a single digit, regional lines two digits and functional lines three digits. Express lines will be indicated with the letter X, while night lines will be recognisable by the letter N.
An example of this is line 18b (Antwerp Groenplaats – Aartselaar – Rumst), which will now operate under number 181. Both the route and the timetable will remain unchanged.
communication
De Lijn has been communicating intensively about the changes since November. Travelers can check their route and discover new possibilities via the website and the app. Posters with information have been placed at stops, and municipalities have informed travelers via their own channels.
The public transport company emphasizes that the adjustments will be continuously evaluated. In case of unforeseen problems or further optimization, De Lijn will adjust if necessary.
With this final phase of basic accessibility, De Lijn is taking an important step towards more modern and flexible public transport that better meets the needs of travellers.
