The impact of the corona crisis at the Brussels public transport company MIVB/STIB and the Flemish public transport company De Lijn seem to have turned the sharpest corner now. This is evident from recent figures.

Nevertheless, De Lijn, in particular, has had a difficult year due to driver shortages and twice as many canceled trips. Consequently, passenger satisfaction decreased.

Almost 340 million rides sold

At MIVB/STIB, traffic revenues rose 21% in 2022 to 265 million euros. Thus, MIVB/STIB sold a total of 337,7 million rides in 2022, up 23% from the previous year. The number of passengers rose to 84% of the pre-corona crisis in 2019. In this regard, the metro remains the most popular mode of transportation, followed by streetcar and bus.

Sales of the number of monthly season tickets also continued to rise, as did the number of season tickets sold for young people, whose cars were greatly reduced to 12 euros per year for travelers under the age of 25.

Female employment must improve

In addition, MIVB/STIB says that the transport company’s energy performance continues to rise thanks to the commissioning of electric and hybrid buses, the installation of solar panels on buildings, and the use of sustainable building principles for infrastructure. MIVB/STIB’s energy performance increased by 12% from 2018 to 2022.

MIVB/STIB also continues to commit strongly to the accessibility of stations and stops. Thus, elevators were installed in Anneessens and Hallepoort stations in 2022. The arrival of such elevators is planned for the Simonis, Madou, Horta, Park, and Jacques Brel stations.

However, Brieux de Meeûs, managing director of MIVB/STIB, says the company still has a long way to go regarding female employment. “Only 11% of employees are women. We are already doing a lot today to change that, but not enough yet. My dream is to one day have 50% women working in our company,” De Meeûs says. “That is extremely challenging. While there are many ladies employed in management, there are a lot fewer as drivers or in operations. By nature, I am an optimist, so I believe we can solve this.”

Slow return of passengers at De Lijn

At De Lijn, the return of passengers continued less smoothly than at its Brussels sector counterpart. At the beginning of 2022, when corona measures were still in place, passenger numbers were 40% below those of 2019, before corona. After the measures were lifted in May, the situation improved, and many passengers returned.

In total, De Lijn sold over 245 million passenger trips last year, 41% more than in 2021. The positive trend continues this year as well, and by May, the passenger gap compared to 2019 had narrowed to 13%.

But Director General Ann Schoubs doesn’t think De Lijn will be able to win back all the passengers from before the corona crisis. After all, some have since cultivated other habits, such as going to work by (electric) bike, for example. On the other hand, “we do think a lot of new travelers can be won back,” added board chairman Johan Sauwens. Think of people looking for an alternative to buying an (expensive) electric car.

Nevertheless, De Lijn continues to work on winning back lost travelers and welcoming new ones. For example, a flexible season ticket (in addition to the 50-ride pass launched earlier) is being considered for people who telecommute regularly.

Twice as many canceled journeys

Schoubs called 2022 at the presentation of the annual figures “a bit of a double” year. Indeed, against the positive elements, there were also a few difficulties. At the top of the list were driver shortages. As a result, over the entire year, 1,52% of all rides had to be canceled, almost double the rate in the previous year.

In July 2022, the percentage of canceled rides even peaked above 3%. Consequently, passenger satisfaction also dropped: 62,3% gave De Lijn an overall score of 7 out of 10 or higher in 2022, compared to more than 65% in 2021. The company also received over 58 000 complaints last year and is back at the pre-corona level there.

By the end of 2022, however, staffing levels were again at a workable level in the first months of this year. The number of canceled journeys consequently stood at a normal level of 0,67%.

Nevertheless, De Lijn must continue its recruitment efforts because this year, for example, De Lijn must find 900 new drivers. By the end of April, 330 had been recruited. The search is particularly difficult in Antwerp, Leuven, and the Flemish periphery around Brussels.

Where there are shortages, De Lijn chooses to structurally curtail certain lines so that travelers are not faced with a bus or streetcar not running at the last minute.

Loss of €11,7 million

De Lijn also suffered a loss of 11,7 million euros last year, despite a government donation of over 1 billion euros. This is exceptional because previously, the company was not allowed to go into the red. The new public service contract states that it can be in 2022 and 2023.

“We now have to make certain investments in process improvements to be more efficient in the long run,” Schoubs said. These include, for example, investments in warehouse management or in more efficient scheduling of vehicle maintenance.

Schoubs also reiterated that despite delays in the delivery of electric buses, the ambition remains to have an entirely green fleet by 2035. De Lijn expects to receive nearly 70 e-buses this year.

First phase of basic accessibility

Furthermore, this year, it will also be watchful to see if De Lijn makes it through the introduction of the first major phase of basic accessibility in July without much harm. This requires adjustments to 16 000 bus stops in the coming month, such as new transit tables. And bus routes may get a new number; frequencies may change.

Travelers can check on the De Lijn website or app from June 15 to see what changes will affect their travel. There is also an overview of the changes per municipality at www.delijn.be/gemeenten.