To say that things are currently very turbulent at the Flemish public transport company De Lijn would be an understatement. For example, the unions at De Lijn have just submitted a strike notice for nine days of action in March and April.

The reason for this is the additional cuts announced by the Flemish government at the end of January. But cities and municipalities also disagree with this new round of cuts, which will put even more pressure on basic accessibility and local services.

“Breach of contract”

In January, the Flemish government decided that, in addition to the 30 million euros in savings that must be made on De Lijn’s services in 2026, a further 5,5 million euros in savings would be required. According to the unions, these savings will be felt most acutely in rural areas.

It is precisely because of the Flemish government’s “breach of contract” that the union has now submitted a strike notice. During the first week of action, from Monday March 16, to Friday, March 20, days of action are planned in the provinces of West Flanders, Antwerp, Flemish Brabant, Limburg, and East Flanders.

The second week of action, from Monday 7 to Thursday 10 April, will involve Flemish Brabant, Limburg, and East Flanders. On Thursday, action will be taken in both East and West Flanders.

Common front of trade unions and transport regions

According to the unions, both staff and passengers feel abandoned. “The announced cuts will have a huge impact on the work-life balance of drivers, a profession that is already under severe pressure.” With the strikes, the unions want to “urge Flemish Minister of Mobility Annick De Ridder (N-VA) to stick to the agreements made and guarantee the future of high-quality public services.”

The unions have been protesting for some time against high workloads, the poor condition of buses, a shortage of drivers and technicians, and problems with the new timetable. They now have found an ally in the transport regions, where local mayors are also increasingly opposed to the austerity plans.

Flemish Ardennes hardest hit

Flanders is divided into 15 transport regions where mayors have a say in De Lijn’s plans. Several cities, such as Hasselt, have already spoken out explicitly against those new plans, but now 15 cities and municipalities in the Flemish Ardennes are doing the same.

According to the transport region council, the region will be hardest hit by the austerity plans in terms of savings per inhabitant. For the Flemish Ardennes, this means a reduction of just over 3 million euros on a budget of 19,4 million, representing a decrease of 15% and the disappearance of around one in three bus routes. This equates to €13 per inhabitant, while the Flemish average is around €5. As a result, the budget per inhabitant will fall from €82 to €69.

By way of comparison, in Ghent the budget will fall from €170 to €167 per inhabitant, and in Antwerp from 184 to 179, representing reductions of €3 and €5 respectively. In regions such as Mechelen and Dender, the savings are limited to €2 and €3 per inhabitant respectively.

The authorities concerned are calling for a review of the distribution key and fear that accessibility in rural areas will come under further pressure. They do not rule out further action if no adjustments are made.

Ghent also dissatisfied

Ghent, like the transport regions of Leuven, Dender, Kempen, Flemish periphery, and Kortrijk, among others, has also asked De Lijn to minimize the impact of the Flemish government’s cuts on public transport. For the Ghent transport region, this involves savings of approximately 2,15 million euros, with the plans affecting around 30 bus lines.

According to Alderman for Mobility Joris Vandenbroucke (Voor Gent), more investment is needed. “There are still many unmet needs where De Lijn can play an important role.”

Protest against new depot in Wondelgem

In Ghent, there are also problems surrounding De Lijn’s plans for a new modern depot in Wondelgem. Neighbors and environmental activists are protesting the plans, and although the environmental permit was revoked last year by the Permit Disputes Council, De Lijn is pressing ahead and wants to apply for a modified environmental permit this year.

According to the Flemish government and the Ghent city council, the new depot remains essential for the electrification of the bus network and the planned expansion of the tram network as part of the Ghent rail project.

Resident, on the other hand, say that De Lijn had already carried out management works before the environmental permit was revoked, cutting down more than 400 trees in the process.

In 2024, activists occupied the site for months. Eventually, the area was cleared by the police. Prior to that, De Lijn had taken the matter to the justice of peace.