Middelkerke (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Middelkerke, 6 out of 10 students have already applied for the free De Lijn youth pass. Alderman Marc Descheemaecker (N-VA) launched the program for 1,775 children on July 1, 2025.
As VRT News reported, in Middelkerke, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium, 6 out of 10 students have already applied for a free De Lijn youth pass. Applications opened at the start of this month. The pass usually costs €255 per year, even for minors, but it is now free for all 1,775 children and young people in the municipality.
What changes allow young residents in Middelkerke to travel for free?
The initiative follows a promise by the N-VA majority in the run-up to the municipal elections to make public transport free for young residents. Middelkerke officials expect more young people to apply for the free De Lijn youth pass in the coming months.
Mobility Alderman Marc Descheemaecker (N-VA), sponsor of the bill, said that the municipality is hoping for a 70% to 80% participation rate. He explained that families also have time to react because the pass can also be requested at a later date in the school year.
The free pass is available for all children and young people up to the age of 18 living in the municipality. For those aged 19 to 24, Middelkerke continues to provide the existing 25% discount on De Lijn subscriptions.
Descheemaecker said the decision was made to reduce the cost burden on households. He pointed out that young families often face high expenses. With this new policy, the municipality intends to make public transport more affordable and accessible for students throughout the year.
The scheme began on July 1, 2025, following the approval of the local council on May 21, 2025. Before this year, only 25% of youth transport tickets were covered by the municipality, but with the new scheme, the whole amount is paid. The free yearly subscription remains in force until June 30, 2026, or the age of 19. Applications for the free passes are accepted via the official De Lijn website.
Similar initiatives have been introduced in other Belgian municipalities in recent years. In September 2021, the city of Ghent launched a program allowing all children and teenagers up to 18 years old to travel free on public transport within the city, building on earlier partial subsidy schemes. Before that, some local authorities, including Antwerp and Leuven, offered reduced fares or partial reimbursements for youth transport passes, usually covering 20% to 50% of the cost.
