De Lijn

Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn[1] (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈvlaːmsə vərˈvuːrsmaːtsxɑˌpɛi də ˈlɛin], English: "Flemish transport company 'The Line'"), more commonly known as De Lijn, is a state-owned enterprise run by the Flemish government in Belgium to provide public transportation with about 2240 buses and 399 trams.

De Lijn was founded in 1991 after the public transportation companies of Antwerp and Ghent fused with the Flemish part of the NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen, or the "National Company of Neighborhood Railways").

Socialist politician Steve Stevaert of Hasselt implemented a policy allowing registered residents in Flanders aged 65+ to ride anywhere in Flanders free.

[citation needed] This has since been changed into allowing 65+ inhabitants to purchase cheap year passes which are valid throughout de Lijn.

De Lijn is being viewed as an integral part to reduce heavily congested traffic, together with the NMBS, Belgium's national rail operator.

De Lijn tram in Ghent