Were it up to the governing Open VLD party, Flemish people should be able to have unlimited bus and tram travel during the winter months for just €1 per day.
Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon is currently holding bilateral talks with government parties N-VA, Open VLD and CD&V to see whether this budget puzzle can become reality.
According to De Morgen, Flemish mobility minister Lydia Peeters put forward the eye-catching proposal which would allow Flemish residents to travel unlimited on De Lijn buses or trams this winter, from October to the end of April, for just €1 per day.
This would make travelling to work considerably cheaper and could also help reduce dependence on cars, saving on petrol and diesel as well as reducing emissions. Highly subsidised public transport would also alleviate traffic congestion in the region. For Peeters it's a win from all angles.
Peeters' cabinet has not yet issued further details on the leaked proposal: “It is true that we have put a number of measures on the table regarding public transport in function of purchasing power. The rest is still to be discussed.”
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However, it is unclear whether the measure would pass. With the raft of support measures already planned for companies, the possible extension of the Job bonus, and an increased indexation of child benefits (to name a few) the wish list of the Flanders government is expanding.
The opposition N-VA party has already made it clear that it is against opening the budgetary taps.
