Why Brabantnet?
By providing more tram lines, Brabantnet wants to give us more time, more quality and more mobility.
First a few figures:
10 of the 16 areas of consistent traffic congestion in the Flemish Region are located in Flemish Brabant.
The inhabitants of Flemish Brabant, Limburg, East and West Flanders and Antwerp waste 2,700,000 hours per year in traffic jams around Brussels. This is equivalent to 308 years of wasted time.
If we do nothing, in ten years’ time there will be 16% more cars in Flemish Brabant and roads will be in danger of gridlock.
Would you like to know more about this? On the Vlot Vlaanderen page you can find more information about the mobility problem in Flemish Brabant and the consequences for the whole of Flanders. You can also read about other initiatives besides Brabantnet that are addressing this problem together.
The benefits of trams are double the cost
The three planned tram lines will fill a gap in the public transport network. There is currently no efficient form of public transport in these zones. We will fill the gaps in the current rail network and the future GEN-RER network (access to Brussels with nine radial rail connections and five bus lines to serve areas where there are no trains) and connect to the MIVB-STIB rail network. Our SCBA (see What is Brabantnet?) also confirms that trams are the best choice. When a comparison is made, the benefits of a tram are seen to be double the cost.
For bodies and organisations such as the province of Flemish Brabant, Brussels Airport Company, Voka, Bond voor Beter Leefmilieu and others, the value of Brabantnet is clear.
“The new tram lines, which will take our travellers directly to and from the capital, are a valuable addition to the range of available transport. They will also lower the transport barrier and literally put job-seekers in Brussels on track for the many airport jobs.”
Arnaud Feist (CEO Brussels Airport Company)
“As an entrepreneurial organisation, we believe that the planned tram lines are an attractive mode of transport for both commuting and leisure travel. In concrete terms, these tram lines will provide user-friendly access to and from the heart of our province.”
Nancy Van Espen (UNIZO)
By providing more tram lines, Brabantnet wants to give us:
More time
Our time is under increasing pressure. Public transport today therefore needs to be fast and efficient. Brabantnet wants to reduce travel time, so that we have more time for what is really important.
More quality
Only high-quality public transport offers a real alternative to car use. In the first place, a high-quality connection is needed. This means knowing not only when you will leave, but also when you will arrive. In addition, high-quality vehicles are necessary, offering travellers a high level of comfort. Finally, with Brabantnet we are investing in a better quality of life. In this way we can offer travellers an alternative to daily traffic jams and ensure liveable cities and municipalities.
More mobility
Flemish Brabant is in danger of grinding to a halt. With Brabantnet, De Lijn is getting the province of Flemish Brabant moving, in collaboration with Brussels and in close coordination with other public transport. We must now invest to keep Flemish Brabant mobile. Brabantnet is necessary for our mobility, our jobs and our well-being.