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No more free buses in Hasselt

Hasselt is bringing an end to its 16-year policy of offering free bus travel within the city because of rising costs. Since the summer of 1997, Hasselt has offered free buses within the city centre, as well as free buses to the outlying areas for residents of the city. The measure, introduced by then-mayor Steve Stevaert, made international news and was widely seen as the ideal solution to the problem of attracting people to use public transport.

When the system was introduced, it cost public transport authority De Lijn an estimated €967,000 a year in lost fares; last year that bill had grown to €3.5 million. The city, meanwhile, had a bill of €1.75 million last year. The contract between Hasselt and De Lijn expires on 1 May and will not be renewed. Those aged 19 and under and 65 and over will still ride for free; everyone else will have to pay 60 cents a trip.

(April 24, 2024)