Obstacles like badly parked cars cost De Lijn millions every year

Part of the study involved filming a whole day’s travel on the number 24 tram in Antwerp, between Silsburg and Schoonselhof, using a camera fixed to the front of the tram. Researchers found that the trip from terminus to terminus, which should take 51 minutes, was often delayed by as much as 15 minutes. When taking into account the number of trips on all lines at peak traffic times, the total day’s delay reaches 15 hours.

If the obstacles were removed, the same service could be offered using four fewer trams, saving about €1 million a year for every line in operation.

Shot on 4 September, the footage shows how small delays can easily accumulate. The tram is delayed by 30 seconds at stops where passengers cross in front of the vehicle. At one point the tram loses 2.5 minutes waiting for a delivery truck to finish unloading.

Insufficiently timed traffic lights cost the tram more than one minute, as does left-turning traffic (pictured). On stretches of the route where the tram has its own carriageway apart from other traffic, on the other hand, it manages to speed along unhindered.

The film, issued by De Lijn, can be seen on the website of De Standaard.

In related news, the Flemish parliament has voted to continue offering public transport passes to its members and honorary members, rejecting a proposal to abandon the system. Earlier this year, minister of state Freddy Willockx returned his free member’s train pass in protest at plans by De Lijn to stop free transport for over-65s.

He then suggested to both the Flemish and federal parliaments that free transport for members be abandoned. This week the steering committee of the Flemish Parliament rejected the proposal, explaining that it would require an amendment to the Constitution.

Photo courtesy De Lijn