Public transport increased the most in the last ten years
The passenger transport flows, expressed in passenger-kilometres, are an indication of the activity of the transport sector. In the last ten years car and motorcycle transport did not increase as quickly as before in Flanders. The increased congestion of the roads can be an explanation for this. Also the setback due to the crisis in 2008 is striking. In 2010 the number of passenger-kilometres by car/motorcycle was 7 % larger than in 2000 and approximately 1 % larger than in 2009. Nevertheless, the number of cars increased further by 15 % in the last ten years. Flanders thus experienced a larger increase than the EU-15, which recorded an increase of 8 % between 1999 and 2009. Transport by coach fell in the last three years and reached in 2010 once again the level of 2000.
Public transport has continued to grow over the last ten years. A focused price policy and expanded service stimulated use. Transport by regular bus/tram service increased in 2010 by 3.7 % with respect to 2009. The increase is mainly due to an increase in the number of season ticket holders. Rail also increased further in 2010 due to a larger number of travellers on national lines.
Car the dominant mode of transport
After the dip in 2008, the total number of passenger-kilometres in Flanders increased again. In 2010 the car and motorcycle were responsible for 80 % of the activity, regular bus/tram services reached 7 %, the train 8 % and the coach 5 %. In 2000 the shares were 84 %, 4 %, 6 % and 6 % respectively. Public transport did succeed in bringing about a limited modal shift, but the car is still the favourite mode of transport.