The Walloon public transport company TEC carried out 155.4 million rides last year, 146.4 million of which were in scheduled services. That’s an increase of 4 million or 2,78% over 2023.
Interestingly, no figures are yet available on the number of travelers in 2024; for 2023, it reported 151.6 million travelers. But it does state that it achieved the highest record ridership rate since 2017.
Deficit of €2.5 million
In terms of revenue, TEC, which has a network comprising 831 lines and 32,107 stops and employs 5,817 people, also saw an improvement. Turnover rose 8% over 2023, to 131.8 million euros. The annual result, however, which was affected by indexation and inflation, ultimately ended up with a deficit of 2.5 million euros.
Another downside: customer satisfaction also dropped from 69% in 2023 to 64% in 2024. This year, TEC aims to increase its customer satisfaction rate to 70%.
On the other hand, there was a 6.5% increase in transport for people with reduced mobility. The overall offer of the network, in contrast, increased only modestly (+0.8%), which raises questions about TEC’s ability to absorb a possible influx of passengers in the long term.
Greening of the fleet
Furthermore, TEC remains committed to greening its fleet. Last year, it counted 825 hybrid buses out of 2,721 vehicles – 1,945 vehicles under its management and 776 with private transport companies.
The first 100% electric buses are also expected to be welcomed this year. In this context, the transformation of the Mobi’Park (Tilleur) and Mécalys (Andenne) depots, the extension for the Baulers (Nivelles) depot, and the continuation of the electrification project in Robermont (Liège) have already begun.
The TEC has also begun preparations for implementing a new ticketing system in the vehicles that will be “more intuitive” for passengers.
‘Accessible, reliable, and responsive’
Wallonia’s Minister of Mobility, François Desquesnes (Les Engagés), hailed the increase in ridership, while stressing the need to “stay tuned and pursue efforts to improve day-to-day service concretely.”
TEC must become “an exemplary public service: accessible, reliable and responsive. That’s how it will be able to play its full role in the energy transition and the transformation of our mobility,” believes Desquesnes, for whom results “must be accompanied by continuous improvement of the experience.”
TEC, which put the Liège tram line into service a few weeks ago, is also currently implementing several structural projects, such as the extension of Charleroi’s light rail (new M5 line) and the future Liège Busway.
