Belgium: De Lijn contracts M-Z

Sat 1 Sept 2007 (approx 0920) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers).Veolia/Connex West Vlaanderen is the operator of 551165 (SQX 149), a MAN powered Van Hool New A360 (new Jan 2005), which was seen in Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 0910 service 20 to Diksmuide.

Thursday 4 March 1993 (approx. 1230) - De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). The company operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but there are many buses operated by contractors which carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number. A & R Van Damme based in Sint-Laureins was the contracted operator of service 260 from Eeklo via Sint-Laureins to Sint-Margriete. Their 264102 (269 P 4), a MAN powered Van Hool A120 integral new in January 1983, was seen parked in the sleepy village of Sint-Margriete just 750 metres (less than half a mile) from the border between Belgium and Holland. From the latter part of the 1980s NMVB introduced a mainly white livery with a broad orange skirt and blue diagonal lines but the livery seen here preceeds that. The faded NMVB garter is just visible midships although a De Lijn logo had been added near the front. Van Damme may have only operated just one bus at a time on the contract. The Zone 01 website shows 264101 being operated between February 1971 and January 1983; 264102 between January 1983 and February 2000; and 264103 from January 2000 until it passed to another operator in July 2006. All three carried the same number plate 264 P 4. The sign in the front windscreen ‘Eenmanswagen’ translates to ‘One man bus’.

Thursday 4 March 1993 (approx. 1230) - De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). The company operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but there are many buses operated by contractors which carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number. A & R Van Damme based in Sint-Laureins was the contracted operator of service 260 from Eeklo via Sint-Laureins to Sint-Margriete. Their 264102 (269 P 4), a MAN powered Van Hool A120 integral new in January 1983, was seen parked in the sleepy village of Sint-Margriete just 750 metres (less than half a mile) from the border between Belgium and Holland. From the latter part of the 1980s NMVB introduced a mainly white livery with a broad orange skirt and blue diagonal lines but the livery seen here preceeds that. The faded NMVB garter is just visible midships although a De Lijn logo had been added near the front. Van Damme may have only operated just one bus at a time on the contract. The Zone 01 website shows 264101 being operated between February 1971 and January 1983; 264102 between January 1983 and February 2000; and 264103 from January 2000 until it passed to another operator in July 2006. All three carried the same number plate 264 P 4.

Sat 1 Sept 2007 (approx 0920) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Veolia/Connex West Vlaanderen 551165 (SQX 149), a MAN powered Van Hool New A360 (new Jan 2005), seen passing the market stalls in Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 0910 service 20 to Diksmuide.

Sat 1 Sept 2007 (approx 0920) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Veolia/Connex West Vlaanderen is the operator of 551165 (SQX 149), a MAN powered Van Hool New A360 (new Jan 2005), which was seen in Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 0910 service 20 to Diksmuide.

Sat 1 Sept 2007 (approx 0920) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Veolia/Connex West Vlaanderen is the operator of 551165 (SQX 149), a MAN powered Van Hool New A360 (new Jan 2005), which was seen in Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 0910 service 20 to Diksmuide.

Sat 1 Sept 2007 (approx 0922) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Gruson Autobus of Ieper, which is now owned by the Veolia Group, is the operator of 550139 (JDW 239), a Jonckheere Transit 2000 bodied Volvo B7RLE (new Dec 2002) sets down at the Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 0855 service 72 from Le Bizet. The original Lakenhalle (Cloth Hall) was built in the 13th century and was one of the largest commercial buildings of the Middle Ages. Such was the damage to Ieper during World War 1 that after the war the building was re-constructed as near to being an exact copy of the original. On the left are the stalls of the market traders occupying the Grote Markt.

Sat 1 Sept 2007 (approx 0923) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Gruson Autobus of Ieper, which is now owned by the Veolia Group, is the operator of 550139 (JDW 239), a Jonckheere Transit 2000 bodied Volvo B7RLE (new Dec 2002) seen in the Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 0855 service 72 from Le Bizet. Market stalls/traders surrounding.

Sat 1 Sept 2007 (approx 1130) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Gruson Autobus of Ieper, which is now owned by the Veolia Group, is the operator of 550139 (JDW 239), a Jonckheere Transit 2000 bodied Volvo B7RLE (new Dec 2002) seen in the Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 1125 service 72 from Ieper Bus/Rail Station to Le Bizet.

Sat 1 Sept 2007 (approx 1130) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Gruson Autobus of Ieper, which is now owned by the Veolia Group, is the operator of 550139 (JDW 239), a Jonckheere Transit 2000 bodied Volvo B7RLE (new Dec 2002) seen in the Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 1125 service 72 from Ieper Bus/Rail Station to Le Bizet.

Sat 1 Sept 2007 (approx 1130) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Gruson Autobus of Ieper, which is now owned by the Veolia Group, is the operator of 550143 (SQE 106), a Jonckheere Transit 2000 bodied Volvo B7RLE (new Oct 2004) seen in the Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 1125 service 60 from Ieper Bus/Rail Station to Poperinge and Abele.

Sat 1 Sept 2007 (approx 1130) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Veolia owned Gruson Autobus of Ieper 550143 (SQE 106), a Jonckheere Transit 2000 bodied Volvo B7RLE (new Oct 2004), seen in the Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 1125 service 60 from Ieper Bus/Rail Station to Poperinge and Abele. A friendly wave from the driver.

Sat 1 Sept 2007 (approx 1130) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Veolia owned Gruson Autobus of Ieper 550143 (SQE 106), a Jonckheere Transit 2000 bodied Volvo B7RLE (new Oct 2004), seen in the Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 1125 service 60 from Ieper Bus/Rail Station to Poperinge and Abele.

Mon 3 Sept 2007 (approx 0815) – I think this bus was Gruson Autobus of Ieper, 550136 (4329 P), a Jonckheere Communo bodied Volvo B10B (new July 1997). It was about to turn from Meensestraat into Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 0733 De Lijn service 89 from Comines/Komen?. The hotel where we stayed is the brighter red brick building down the facing street.

Mon 3 Sept 2007 (approx 0823) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Gruson Autobus of Ieper, which is now owned by the Veolia Group, is the operator of 550142 (PBQ 995), a Jonckheere Transit 2000 bodied Volvo B7RLE (new Feb 2004) seen in Grote Markt, Ieper having arrived on the 0748 De Lijn service 71 from Dranouter.

Mon 3 Sept 2007 (approx 0823) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Gruson Autobus of Ieper, which is now owned by the Veolia Group, is the operator of 550142 (PBQ 995), a Jonckheere Transit 2000 bodied Volvo B7RLE (new Feb 2004) seen in Grote Markt, Ieper having arrived on the 0748 De Lijn service 71 from Dranouter.

Mon 3 Sept 2007 (approx 0825) – In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Gruson Autobus of Ieper, which is now owned by the Veolia Group, is the operator of 550144 (TCM 711), a Jonckheere Transit 2000 bodied Volvo B7RLE (new Apr 2005) seen in the Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 0753 service 60 from Abele and Poperinge.

Mon 3 Sept 2007 (approx 0825) – In the background at the far end of Menenstraat is the Menen Gate Memorial dedicated to over 54,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in World War 1 whose graves are unknown. Each evening at 2000 (8pm) the road is closed off and the last post is played by a bugler. A small group of local children participate in the ceremony representing the citizens of Ieper in expressing their gratitude to those that had given their lives for Belgium’s freedom. In addition to running its own buses (which have four digit fleet numbers), many services of De Lijn - the National bus/tram company of northern Belgium, are worked by contracted operators (these have six digit fleet numbers). Gruson Autobus of Ieper, which is now owned by the Veolia Group, is the operator of 550144 (TCM 711), a Jonckheere Transit 2000 bodied Volvo B7RLE (new Apr 2005) seen in the Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 0753 service 60 from Abele and Poperinge.