Flemish Parliament Urges De Lijn to Standardize Traffic Fine Payments
The Flemish Parliament has called on De Lijn, the regional public transport operator, to create a uniform system for handling traffic fines issued to its drivers. This move follows significant variations across regions in how fines are managed., reports 24brussels.
In 2023, De Lijn recorded 2,929 traffic fines, representing an 81% increase compared to four years prior. The company, on average, covers 71% of these fines, but this percentage varies significantly among regions. In Limburg, nearly 50% of fines are paid by drivers, whereas, in Antwerp, only 13.5% of fines are settled by the driving staff.
To address these discrepancies, a resolution has been put forth by the majority parties in the Flemish Parliament, urging De Lijn to implement a standardized process. “We must finally get rid of these strong regional differences,” said Bert Maertens (N-VA), the resolution’s initiator. He attributed the variation to the historical structure of De Lijn, which was formed from five distinct regional entities that previously negotiated unique terms with trade unions. Previous attempts to create uniform regulations have failed.
An Christaens (CD&V) emphasized that the existing contract between De Lijn and the Flemish government, valid until 2027, mandates the organization to pursue a transparent, equitable, and educational fine system. “Especially in times of driver shortages, transparency and equal treatment are a must: it is high time that the organization puts its money where its mouth is,” Christaens stated.
Els Robeyns (Vooruit) highlighted that the aim is not to impose the full burden of fines on drivers, but to develop “a fairer system.”