Antwerp (Brussels Morning) – N-VA aims to improve tram and bus services in Antwerp by investing in tram routes bus lanes and smart traffic lights to enhance punctuality and quality.
N-VA wants to make trams and buses better in Flanders. They plan to invest in improving tram routes and making buses run smoother with free lanes and smart traffic lights. They hope this will make trams and buses more on time. They also want more competition between bus and tram companies to make things work better and be of higher quality.
What are the key proposals from political parties in Belgium to improve public transport?
Vlaams Belang emphasizes that the Flemish transport company De Lijn needs to focus on enhancing its service quality and customer satisfaction. The party’s election programme states that substantial resources should be allocated to ensure De Lijn delivers good service rather than investing in high-cost prestige projects like the total electrification of the bus fleet. Vlaams Belang advocates for a shift in priorities towards practical improvements in public transportation services proposing that the government critically evaluate and potentially reform the financial framework supporting De Lijn to ensure more effective and efficient use of funds.
Open VLD wants De Lijn to hire more subcontractors believing private companies will boost competition and improve public transport quality. They also support creating more free bus lanes and using smart traffic lights to prioritize buses and trams.
CD&V opposes privatizing public transport arguing it would only benefit profitable areas and leave some regions underserved. They advocate for a 100 million euro increase in De Lijn’s investment budget and a boost in funding for customized transport to 90 million euros to ensure everyone in Flanders has access to public transportation.
Parties Propose Free Public Transport for Young People
Vooruit proposes that individuals under 25 should have free access to public transport allocating sufficient budget to realize the vision ambitions, and actions of transport regions including municipalities. Groen on the other side, calls for making public transport more appealing by significantly investing in De Lijn. They suggest a fare of just one euro per month for young people and the elderly to enhance affordability and encourage greater usage among these groups. Both parties emphasize the importance of accessible and attractive public transport options to meet the needs of diverse populations
PVDA says they need 300 million euros more every year to make up for the money they saved before and 400 million euros each year to buy new buses faster. They want to add more bus routes have buses come more often and run buses early and late.
