Extra checks, and extra fare finders: 70 p.c extra folks journey with De Lijn and not using a ticket

Whereas 35,071 fines had been issued throughout Flanders for fare assortment at De Lijn in 2018, that quantity will rise to 60,357 in 2023. This is a rise of 72.1 p.c .

As well as, De Lijn is shedding some huge cash as a result of half of them don’t pay their fines. In 2023, an quantity of 4.1 million euros out of a complete of 8.2 million euros was nonetheless excellent. The earlier yr, 3.5 million euros of the 7.2 million euros in fines weren’t paid.

“The fare prices De Lijn thousands and thousands of euros yearly. Cash that they can not spend money on extra and higher public transport and, above all, at an inexpensive worth. The passenger who pays the proper fare is the sufferer of a coverage that doesn’t appear to think about coping with fares a precedence,” says Robeyns.

In line with the MP, Minister Peeters didn’t take the issue critically lately. On the finish of the legislature there was a rise within the variety of inspections, however inspections alone should not sufficient, Robeyns believes. She advocates for extra prevention and inexpensive public transport.

It additionally appears that 13.5 p.c of people that obtain fares are younger folks. Vooruit recommends making public transport free for younger folks as much as and together with the age of 25, “in order that it’s accessible to all younger folks”.

“Delinquent and inappropriate”

Minister Peeters factors out in response that De Lijn frequently units up fare assortment campaigns and that 67 further line inspectors had been employed final yr to verify fare evasion and security improve “So we’re very eager to implement and lift consciousness,” says Peeters, who factors out that “it’s and continues to be insecure and disappointing behaviour. It is anti-social and unacceptable at the very least.”