The city of Leuven and public transport company De Lijn have joined forces to explore ways to make the bus station at Martelarenplein (Martyrs' Square) safer.
Last year, a tragic accident occurred there when a 27-year-old Indian student was struck by a bus and died.
Local police employ a ‘safe chaos’ strategy at the square, believing that fewer rules make for calmer, safer movement, potentially leading to fewer accidents. A redesign of Martelarenplein is already planned for next year.
In response to last year’s fatal accident, additional road markings were added at bus stops.
The new study will assess long-term safety and comfort improvements at the station. Mobility and Public Works Alderman Dirk Vansina (CD&V) said it would consider the impact of relocating some or all bus stops to the back of the train station in Kessel-Lo or to the old depot at Diestsepoort.
The study will cost approximately €75,000, with the city and De Lijn sharing the expense equally. The research is expected to be completed by Autumn.
