Coast tram sees record summer and plans a minor re-route

De Lijn’s coast tram, which runs the length of the Flemish coast from De Panne to Knokke, carried more than four million passengers in July and August, the public transport authority said.

That comes to an average of 66,000 passengers a day, although public holidays saw peak performance. On the Assumption weekend in August, the tram carried 303,600 passengers. The Saturday following national day in July found 79,000 passengers taking the tram.

Train routes from the interior of the country arrive at the coast in Ostend, Knokke, Blankenberge and De Panne, while the tram – the longest tram route in the world – provides access to the other cities and districts inbetween. Popular destinations were Plopsaland amusement park in De Panne, the Sea Life centre in Blankenberge and the sand sculpture festival in Ostend.

In related news, De Lijn announced that it plans to change the route at Lombardsijde, part of Middelkerke. The tram will be re-routed to follow the coast instead of passing through the village.

Lombardsijde will still be accessible from the new stop, and the route will become safer and faster, said De Lijn. The work is expected to be complete by next summer.

Photo: Marc Ryckaert/Wikimedia