Kortrijk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Most residents along Oudenaardsesteenweg, Kortrijk, support the blue line; Mayor Ruth Vandenberghe says it works, litter remains an issue, and community wardens and staggered buses helped enforce it.
As VRT News reported, most residents along Oudenaardsesteenweg in Kortrijk want the blue line to stay near their homes. The line was set up to guide students along a fixed route and improve safety in the area.
Mayor Ruth Vandenberghe (TBSK) visited the neighbourhood with a community worker to speak directly with residents. She said the approach is working.
“Good agreements make good friends, and the agreement is clear,”
she said. Students now follow the blue line, despite some experts raising concerns when it was first introduced. Only one of the 24 residents surveyed asked for the line to be removed.
“But mainly because he wasn’t really bothered by the young people and therefore found such a line unnecessary,”
says Vandenberghe.
What is the impact of the blue line on Oudenaardsesteenweg in Kortrijk?
According to officials, the survey also highlighted that litter along the route remains an issue. Residents appreciate the structure the blue line provides, but want the streets to stay clean.
“We will install more litter bins,”
says Vandenberghe.
“We will also continue to consult with the schools and community wardens. The relationship is good now, but we must ensure it remains that way.”
Mayor Ruth Vandenberghe (TBSK) said that in addition to the blue line, running more buses at staggered times has helped improve the neighbourhood.
“I think it’s a combination. We’ve been in discussions with De Lin for a long time, and the fact that the bus schedule has indeed been changed must have played a role. The various measures will have reinforced each other. And ultimately, the result counts”
The city had considered issuing fines to manage student behaviour, but that was not needed.
“It was enough to make students aware of the impact they were having on the area,”
she said. Posters were put up along the route, and community wardens reminded students of the rules for 2 months.
When asked if the community wardens would remain in the area, the mayor said schools would take over the awareness-raising after the fall break.
“We must stay alert in case the situation changes again,”
she said.
“But the community wardens and police will not leave. They will continue to monitor the area closely.”
The city also confirmed that there are no plans to extend the blue line to other parts of Kortrijk.
“Oudenaardsesteenweg is the only neighbourhood where so many students congregate at peak times. There aren’t really any other hotspots. So an extension is out of the question,”
concludes Vandenberghe.
On August 29, 2025, the city of Kortrijk decided to take action regarding student-accompany disturbances at bus stops along Oudenaardsesteenweg. Starting September 1, 2025, a blue line was painted to mark the transition from public space to private space. During this time, extra buses began to arrive at staggered times, and the city announced fines up to €500 for anyone who crossed the line. Local schools, the municipal council, De Lijn, and police collaborated to raise awareness.
