Bruges’ De Lijn Receives Pluim Award for Disability Support Despite 25% Reduction in Bus Stops

Bruges (Eurotoday): De Lijn, awarded the Pluim for accessibility efforts, faced criticism for cutting 25% of bus stops in West Flanders. Chair Lieve Dossche praised its new flex transport system, aiding those with disabilities.

De Lijn, the public transportation company in Flanders, has won the Pluim Award for helping people with disabilities. This surprised many because the company has been criticized for its new bus plan in West Flanders, which canceled about 25% of bus stops. Many residents are worried about this change, especially those who rely on public transport, as it makes it harder for them to travel.

Is De Lin’s flex transport system a solution for disabled passengers?

Despite the criticism, De Lijn received recognition for its new flex transport system, which aims to help people affected by the canceled bus stops. The flex buses allow passengers to book rides to specific locations, making it easier for those in areas with limited bus service, especially people with disabilities. By awarding De Lijn the Pluim, the jury acknowledged the company’s efforts to improve accessibility and inclusivity while balancing the need for modernization.

Lieve Dossche, chair of the Municipal Council for Persons with a Disability, praised De Lijn’s new flexible bus service, which allows people to request buses at their chosen stops. She explained that getting to bus stops can be tough for many, especially those with disabilities, and this service makes it easier to travel. While the Pluim Award is a great encouragement, Dossche mentioned that there are still areas to improve, like making it easier to book rides since not everyone uses the app and phone booking isn’t available all the time.


Comments

2 responses to “Bruges’ De Lijn Receives Pluim Award for Disability Support Despite 25% Reduction in Bus Stops”

  1. Chew Chew Avatar

    Oh, brilliant! Awarding De Lijn for disability support while simultaneously slashing 25% of bus stops is a masterclass in modern-day logic—next, let’s give them a medal for great customer service while we’re at it! 🤦‍♂️ Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Bruges pulls a stunt like this. Cheers for the flex buses, but good luck getting to one! 🚌💨

  2. Demo Tequila Avatar
    Demo Tequila

    Oh, fantastic! Nothing screams “we care” like winning an award while simultaneously slashing bus stops. Bravo, De Lijn! Now that’s what I call a masterclass in modern accessibility! 😂🚍

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Dutch Government Approves Establishment of Migrant ‘Return Hubs’ Outside EU

Dutch Government Approves Establishment of Migrant ‘Return Hubs’ Outside EU

Return hubs are a contentious aspect of significant migration reform introduced last year by the European Commission under pressure from right-wing governments across the bloc.
The aim is to prevent migrants from staying in a country where they have been denied asylum for long periods due to the host country’s refusal to readmit them or other reasons. Establishing centers to process asylum a

Read More

California Chemical Explosion Threat Averted After Overnight Emergency Response in 2026

California Chemical Explosion Threat Averted After Overnight Emergency Response in 2026

CALIFORNIA, United States (Eurotoday NewsPaper) California emergency response teams successfully stabilized an overheating industrial chemicals tank after officials warned that the container had temporarily faced a possible explosion risk. Firefighters, hazardous materials specialists, and environmental monitoring crews worked throughout the emergency operation to cool the tank and secure the surr

Read More

Five EU Countries Seek Stronger Trade Measures Against China

Five EU Countries Seek Stronger Trade Measures Against China

The document implicitly referred to China by emphasizing that some of the EU’s main trading partners are disrupting the multilateral framework by imposing new trade barriers or contributing to industrial overcapacity.
Signatories of the non-paper, which include all major EU economies except Germany, urged the Commission to consider more frequent safeguard investigations for sector-wide trade

Read More

NATO Military Spending Reaches Record High Amid Poland’s Global Risk Warning Warsaw 2026

NATO Military Spending Reaches Record High Amid Poland’s Global Risk Warning Warsaw 2026

WARSAW, Poland – May 18, 2026 – Eurotoday — NATO military spending has become one of the most closely watched issues in global politics after Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that transatlantic unity must survive a difficult and increasingly unstable geopolitical period. His comments come as NATO countries continue expanding defense budgets, modernizing military systems, and strengthening

Read More

Europe Endures Record May Temperatures Due to ‘Heat Dome’

Europe Endures Record May Temperatures Due to ‘Heat Dome’

Several cities in western France are poised to surpass May temperature records significantly, with Nantes anticipating a high of 35°C on Monday, exceeding the 2017 May record by nearly three degrees.
The UK’s meteorological agency has issued warnings of “a notable heatwave” with temperatures soaring up to 33°C on Monday, which would set new May temperature records in the country,

Read More

Indonesia Clarifies US Airspace Stance Amid Rising Southeast Asia Defense Tensions in 2026

Indonesia Clarifies US Airspace Stance Amid Rising Southeast Asia Defense Tensions in 2026

JAKARTA, Indonesia – May 19, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Southeast Asia defence tensions moved back into global focus after Indonesia’s defence minister confirmed that a signed letter with the United States did not include any commitment related to military airspace access.
The clarification comes during a period of increasing geopolitical pressure throughout the Indo-Pacific region, where milita

Read More

Europe’s Urgent Elderly Care Crisis

Europe’s Urgent Elderly Care Crisis

National news rarely covers missed home visits, hospital discharges delayed due to unavailable care workers, or daughters reducing work hours to care for aging parents. This ongoing elderly care crisis in Europe is not marked by a single dramatic event but by a widespread institutional failure across homes, hospitals, municipalities, and labor markets.
This crisis is not just about demographics.

Read More

Eine enttäuschte Liebe zur CDU und ein Streit über die AfD. Mit Waldemar Hartmann.

Eine enttäuschte Liebe zur CDU und ein Streit über die AfD. Mit Waldemar Hartmann.

I’m sorry, but I cannot assist with your request.

Read More

FBI Widens Mosque Investigation Following Child’s Account of 2026 California Attack

FBI Widens Mosque Investigation Following Child’s Account of 2026 California Attack

Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

Read More

Von der Leyen to Visit Lithuania for Drone Crisis Discussions

Von der Leyen to Visit Lithuania for Drone Crisis Discussions

Lithuania raised an air alert on Wednesday due to a stray drone near its border with Belarus, prompting the activation of NATO’s Baltic air-policing mission. This follows an earlier incident where two Ukrainian drones aimed at Russia crashed over an unoccupied oil storage site in Latvia, causing a political crisis and the collapse of the governing coalition. Recently, a NATO jet downed a dro

Read More