Memorandum 2024-2029: Time to pick up the pace

It’s five minutes to midnight... The effects of global warming are increasingly evident. To turn the tide, clear and far-reaching policy choices need to be made in various areas. Because today’s choices have a significant impact on a climate-neutral future.

Mobility remains an important, high-impact challenge in this context. The number of car kilometres driven every year continues to grow, even as the share of public transport decreases.

This can and must change. A sustainable modal shift only be achieved by taking a holistic approach to all aspects.

Attractive and efficient public transport as part of sustainable mobility:

  • Has a lower climate and environmental impact than the use of cars.

  • Is accessible to a wide public.

  • Is space-efficient.

  • …

This makes it an essential building block in achieving emission reductions and bringing about a climate transition in a spirit of solidarity.

Despite its great value to society, the share of public transport in journeys is still small.

“A clear shift towards public transport will only take place if buses and trams are reliable, punctual, frequent, fast, comfortable, accessible, responsive to demand, affordable and safe.”

These are the levers for accelerating the sustainable modal shiftreiziger centraal

  1. traveller-focused

  2. space and mobility

  3. cooperation between partners

  4. strong financial commitment

In this memorandum we explain what is needed to achieve a sustainable modal shift in the years ahead. It is a blend of different elements, responsibility for which is often shared by the Flemish and Federal Governments, local authorities, the Flemish Roads and Traffic Agency, De Lijn and others. Achieving high-performance public transport requires a collective effort on the part of numerous stakeholders.

This memorandum builds on the key principles of the public service contract between De Lijn and the Flemish Government that came into effect in January 2023: sustainable, customer-oriented and efficient public transport.

Read the full memorandum here. PDF
memorandum-1480-880-v2

Memorandum 2024-2029