Last summer, 4,5 million passengers used the coastal tram on the Belgian coast, a slight increase of 0,4% compared to last year. August was a record month for the coastal tram, with 2,33 million passengers – 70,000 more than in July.

The Flemish public transportation company De Lijn is pleased, but also surprised.

67-km route

Generally, fewer people use the coastal tram when the outside temperatures get warm, but ridership is still on the rise, even though the weather was excellent this summer. According to De Lijn spokesperson Frederik Wittock, these figure show that the coastal tram has now become a permanent fixture for both tourists and coastal residents, regardless of the weather.

The Coastal Tram connects the entire coast from De Panne to Knokke – a 67-km route. However, De Lijn traditionally deploys more resources along the coast during the summer, using vehicles from inland areas. In addition, the drivers work longer shifts.

Every 10 minutes

In July and August, the tram also runs every ten minutes, making it an accessible alternative with minimal wait time.

For those traveling to the coast by train, it’s therefore a convenient option – especially since parking along the coast is notoriously difficult and expensive during peak season, and you’re also allowed to bring bicycles on the tram (up to two bicycles per tram, but only if there is enough space).