Flemish people cannot do without car, even for 1 km trip

Flemish people cannot do without car, even for 1 km trip

Flemish people are still forgoing public transport for the car, even for short trips, according to a new study. The Flemish Administration Mobility questioned 1,600 Flemish people about the way they go to work, to school, and just move from one place to another.

"We seem to be creatures of habit," concluded researcher Davy Janssens of the Hasselt University, according to NewMobility. "Even for trips shorter than 1 kilometre, we choose the easiest way because that is what we are used to," he added. Walking has become slightly more successful, while the popularity of the bike has fallen.

Most Flemish citizens do not use public transport either. Seven out of ten people said they 'hardly ever' used the bus, tram or metro, while nine out of ten people 'hardly ever' take the train.

Joris Vandenbroucke (sp.a) points at Flemish Minister for Mobility, Ben Weyts (N-VA), for "having spent a lot of money without any result," according to him. "We’re standing still, more than ever," he added.

However, professor Janssens said the same goes for Weyts’ predecessors. "The change in behaviour will not only happen top-down. We all are responsible," he said.

Maïthé Chini
The Brussels Times


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