The Flemish transport company De Lijn is introducing a significant rate increase on all its products from 1 April.
The price increase is the result of a decision by the Flemish government, which established the tariff framework two weeks ago. The average increase is 18,37 percent, which according to the government is necessary to compensate for the inflation of the past years.
One of the most striking changes is the increase in the price of a standard ticket, which will go from 2,50 euros to 3 euros. The price of a ten-trip ticket will also become more expensive, rising from 17 to 21 euros. For frequent travellers, it will also become a lot more expensive: the fifty-trip ticket will be 90 euros instead of 75 euros. Those who buy a day ticket occasionally will soon pay 9 euros instead of 7,50 euros. For children, the price of a day ticket will increase by 50 cents to 4,50 euros.
Despite the general increase, some rates remain largely unchanged. At the request of the Flemish government, the price of the Buzzy Pazz subscription for young people between 18 and 24 years old will not be increased. This is intended to keep mobility affordable for young people. For other age groups, the increase will be limited. Subscriptions with a social correction, such as the Transport Guarantee (VG) subscription and the Increased Allowance (VT) subscription, will increase slightly to 54 and 66 euros per year respectively.
In addition to the price increases, De Lijn is also implementing some practical changes. The additional cost for an SMS ticket is increasing from 0,15 euros to 0,25 euros. In addition, the validity period of tickets and subscriptions on an electronic card is being shortened to one year. This means that travellers must use up their purchased journeys within one year, otherwise they will expire.
The Flemish government wants to give De Lijn more fare autonomy, something that has been promised for some time. From 1 April, the government will only set the guidelines, but De Lijn will decide for itself how it will implement the price increases. The government has stipulated that the average increase must be 18,37 percent, with a few restrictions. For example, season tickets for young people (18-24) and the elderly (65+) may not exceed 60 percent of a standard fare. Social fares remain under the authority of the government.
De Lijn's fares will continue to rise in the future. The transport company must let ticket prices grow annually in line with the health index. This means that travellers must take further price increases into account in the coming years.
