De Lijn Punctuality: More Buses Running On Time, But Early Departures Rise
Recent data reveals a mixed bag for De Lijn, Belgium’s public transportation operator. While the percentage of buses and trams arriving on time has increased slightly, a growing number are departing ahead of schedule, causing missed connections for passengers.
On-Time Performance Improves Slightly
In 2025, 73.66 percent of De Lijn’s buses and trams ran on time, a slight increase from 72.78 percent in 2024. Though, 19.05 percent of services were late, a decrease from 20.5 percent the previous year. These figures were obtained by Flemish Member of Parliament Els Robeyns (Vooruit) through a formal request to De Lijn.
Rise in Early Departures Raises Concerns
A notable trend is the increase in services departing early. 7.29 percent of De Lijn buses and trams ran ahead of schedule in 2025, up from 6.73 percent in 2024. De Lijn defines “early” as more than two minutes before the scheduled time, and “late” as more than five minutes behind schedule.
Regional Disparities in Punctuality
Punctuality varies significantly across different regions. Oostende boasts the highest on-time performance at 88.38 percent, with only 7.77 percent running late and 3.85 percent early. In contrast, the Flemish Rand region experiences significantly lower performance, with 64.13 percent on time, 23.47 percent late, and 12.40 percent early.
Passenger Impact and Concerns
Peter Meukens of the passenger advocacy group TreinTramBus emphasizes that arriving early is almost as problematic as arriving late. “If you miss your bus because it’s early, you ultimately experience much more delay,” he stated. VRT News reports this concern is shared by many commuters.
Why Buses Run Early
De Lijn attributes early departures to the unpredictable nature of traffic conditions. Jens Van Herp of De Lijn explained that traffic flow is not an exact science.
Accessing Real-Time Information
De Lijn recommends passengers utilize their mobile app to access real-time arrival information for buses and trams. This allows travelers to see the precise expected arrival time at their stop.
Key Takeaways
- On-time performance for De Lijn buses and trams has slightly improved, rising from 72.78% in 2024 to 73.66% in 2025.
- The number of services running early has increased, reaching 7.29% in 2025.
- Punctuality varies significantly by region, with Oostende performing best and the Flemish Rand facing the most challenges.
- Passengers are advised to employ the De Lijn app for real-time arrival information.
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