[Article] Demand for use of Public Transport System in Belgium Falls

Het Nieuwsblad - September 23, 2008
In this article, "Het Nieuwsblad" explains the results of a survey taken in 2008 of the amount of people satisfied and planning to continue using the Rail system "The Line" in comparison to the survey of 2006. In 2006, 81% of the population of Northern Belgium preferred the public train over cars, however in 2008 that percentage dropped to an average of 77%. Although small, this change in percentage is believed to be caused by the lack of punctuality on the routes that are taken by the trains, which has been becoming worse over the years, causing car travel to become more desirable. This confirmed the belief of the General Director of "The Line" that unless investments are made, the demand for use of Public Transport will continue to fall.
This increased desire to use cars in travel can have other adverse effects on the economy:

• Increased demand for oil
• Increased demand for cars
• And, because Trains are no longer desired, even an increased demand for Bicycles

These are all complementary goods.