De Lijn adjusts its offer while facing shortage of drivers and buses

The Flemish public transport company De Lijn is adjusting its offer as of January 6th. Due to driver and equipment shortages, the offer will be reduced in several regions to guarantee a more reliable service.

At the same time, changes are also planned in Leuven, Mechelen, the Flemish periphery around Brussels, Kempen, and Antwerp. About 10% of the network is being modified there. The changes fit into the latest official phase of Basic Accessibility, the new mobility vision of the Flemish government.

150 drivers short

De Lijn and its operators have struggled with personnel shortages in several regions for some time. The most significant personnel shortages are among De Lijn’s own drivers in the Flemish periphery (6.1%), the area of Antwerp (4.3%), and Leuven (4%).

De Lijn expects to be some 150 drivers short for January to ensure the planned supply. A 2.5% reduction in supply is, therefore, required. Adjustments are being made in almost all regions.

De Lijn will make the adjustments where “passengers experience the least impact”, such as weekend and late-night services, rides for which there are alternatives, high-frequency lines and infrequently used rides. This does not just mean canceling rides but also shortening them, for example. The adjustments will be evaluated and adjusted.

Aging bus fleet

Another factor contributing to cutting the offer is that the average age of buses has reached more than ten years. In fact, one in three buses is 15 years or older, which also means more frequent and more complex breakdowns. In addition, new buses are arriving very late, with delays from suppliers reaching up to two years.

CEO Ann Schoubs said De Lijn needs an annual influx of 144 buses. In the 2023-24 period, 200 vehicles were under-delivered. For example, of an order of 24 e-buses that De Lijn placed with manufacturer VDL in November 2021, only six have been delivered until today, which also do not fully meet quality requirements.

Next year, however, De Lijn expects a turnaround, with the delivery of some 200 new electric vehicles, including articulated buses from Iveco and a delivery of standard buses by Chinese BYD. An additional investment of 400 million euros will also allow De Lijn to order additional buses next year.

Last phase of Basic Accessibility

The final official phase of Basic Accessibility will also begin on January 6th. The goal is to match supply more closely to demand, eliminating infrequently used buses and stops while running more buses on busy lines.

At this stage, changes are occurring in the regions of Leuven, Mechelen, the Flemish periphery, Kempen, and Antwerp. About 10% of the network is being modified, and this includes changes such as new lines, new routes for existing connections, and frequency increases.

When the previous fazes were introduced, there were many complaints (more than 3,500), and the transportation plan was adjusted more than 470 times.

At the same time, De Lijn took the opportunity to assign new line numbers to keep it clear. A city line with a high frequency gets a single digit as its line number.

District lines, on which you can count all day, get two digits. Functional lines, such as school lines or lines that run only during peak hours, get three digits. Streetcar lines are preceded by the prefix ‘T’ or ‘M’ if they also run underground. Express lines get the prefix ‘X’, and night lines are identified by the prefix ‘N’.

From November 15th, travelers can find all specific information via De Lijn’s website and app and check if their familiar travel route has changed.