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First 'trambus' between Hasselt and Maasmechelen launches amid mixed passenger reactions

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • The new X44 'trambus' line connecting Hasselt and Maasmechelen in Limburg, Belgium, has officially launched.
  • While some passengers report a 10-minute time saving, others find their journeys longer due to canceled intermediate stops.
  • The line uses 17 electric buses and aims to improve public transport efficiency, but passenger reactions are mixed on its first day.

The X44, Limburg's first high-frequency public transport (HOV) line, has officially begun service, connecting Hasselt and Maasmechelen in Belgium. Promising faster and more efficient travel, the new 'snelbus' (express bus) replaces the old line 44 by eliminating several intermediate stops to speed up the journey.

I got here faster than usual, I think about 10 minutes faster.

— AliceA passenger sharing her positive experience with the new X44 line's speed.

Passenger reactions on the inaugural day have been divided. For some, like traveler Alice, the new line has already proven successful, shaving approximately 10 minutes off her commute to Hasselt. She expressed no concern about the removed stops, stating there are sufficient alternatives available locally.

It still feels the same as yesterday, not really faster.

— Unidentified passengerExpressing skepticism about the new line's speed improvement.

However, not all passengers share this positive assessment. One traveler heading to Genk reported that the journey felt no different from the previous day and expressed uncertainty about reaching work on time. The elimination of specific stops has caused significant frustration for others, with one passenger lamenting that their journey now takes an hour and a half, compared to before.

I'm actually arriving later now than before. Because my transfer stop is gone, I'm on the road for an hour and a half. I find that very frustrating.

— Unidentified passengerDescribing the negative impact of canceled stops on their commute time.

This passenger highlighted the inconvenience, noting that for essential trips, such as visiting their mother in a nursing home, they now need to book a flexbus, feeling "left out in the cold" by the public transport operator, De Lijn. The success of the X44 in delivering its promised speed and efficiency for the broader public, or whether the removal of stops remains a significant drawback for local travelers, will become clearer in the coming weeks.

I feel literally left out in the cold by De Lijn.

— Unidentified passengerExpressing frustration with the public transport operator due to the changes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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