No decline in traffic despite free buses

29 March 2007

BRUSSELS – Free or inexpensive public transport has not caused any decline in car traffic over the past few years, according to a report from Central Economic Council.

“The policy of making public transport less expensive or even free for certain groups has not had any significant impact on the number of people who travel by car,” the report states.

“The inexpensive transport prices therefore miss their target,” says Flemish Christian democrat CD&V MP Johan Sauwens.

“There are more people on the trains and buses, but these are people who used to take the bicycle or walk, or who simply used to travel less,” he says.

Subject: Belgian news