759 Km of traffic jam every day, it has to change

The grim statistics for 2022

The Flemish Traffic Institute quantifies congestion on the roads in terms of ‘kilometre hours’. In other words: how many traffic jams are there and how long do they last? According to the latest figures, between March 2022 and February 2023 in Flanders, we had 755 kilometres of traffic jams which lasted an average of one hour every working day. Compare that with March 2021, when the annual average was barely 316 kilometres per day, ‘thanks’ to coronavirus.

The regions of Antwerp and Brussels in particular have gone back to crawling-pace traffic. The jams are now even longer than before the pandemic, because they are more concentrated on the traditional rush hours. Tuesday and Thursday are the worst days for congestion, with Wednesday in third place. But even at the weekend it can be frustrating when you head into town on shopping Sunday.

The switch to combined transport

That is why, at De Lijn, we are fully committed to combined transport as the solution. ‘This will tackle traffic congestion, but also other problems such as climate change, quality of life in cities and noise pollution. More Flemish people still need to be encouraged to make the move.’

We can prevent much of the congestion ourselves. Because we don’t “get stuck” in a traffic jam. We are the traffic jam. If you travel to the office by public transport more often, that’s one less car on the road. One full bus replaces as many as thirty cars. Driving to the park & ride and then switching to the bus or tram also cuts down on a lot of congestion, parking and emission frustration. Or why not cycle to feel completely relaxed when you get there?

46% more emissions during traffic jams

Did you know that cars pollute more when they are stuck in traffic? During traffic jams, a petrol or diesel car emits a horrifying 46% more than when the road is clear! That also goes for buses, of course, but De Lijn is actively making an effort to minimise its emissions. In the cities, for example, the entire fleet will be overhauled within a few years, so that only e-buses and hydrogen-powered buses will be on the roads. By 2035, this zero emission situation will apply to the whole of Flanders.

‘We also actively advise city and municipal authorities on what they can do to optimise traffic flow on their streets,’ says Dries Wathion, head of transport flow at De Lijn. ‘Separate bus- and tramways, bus lanes that can be used to simply drive past traffic jams, accessible stops, crossings where there are roadworks and a crackdown on illegal parkers. All of this ensures that public transport can run on time, with greater convenience for our passengers.’

‘More than half of all car journeys are for distances of less than 5 km,’ says De Lijn. Journeys that would take no more than twenty minutes to cycle or that you could do on the bus or tram. Without having to look for parking afterwards, or feel guilty about your carbon footprint!

Will you join us on the journey towards less CO₂? 

Walk, cycle or take public transport. That way we can ensure fewer traffic jams and greener cities together.