"Utrecht had an electric city system, GTU (Gemeentetram Utrecht), that stopped in 1939, and an electric interurban to Zeist operated by the NBM (Nederlandse Buurtspoorweg Maatschappij) that closed in 1949. In Utrecht, an NBM city line ram between Centraal Station and a terminal side track at F. C. Donderstraat."
"A nostalgic look back at the era of Ghent's old yellow "trams," the familiar three-axle trams. Their successor, the so-called PCC, is also featured. At the time, it was given blue-and-yellow livery, just like the trolleybuses. We hope you enjoy this journey back in time."
"Tram companies had already emerged in several cities in the 1870s. But rural areas remained deprived of good public transport. The government of the time wanted to address this. Therefore, on May 29, 1884, the Buurtspoorwegen (Local Railways) were established."
"It's the season of Wishes, Hopes, and Prospects for 2026. 🎄And besides the traditional Christmas message, we also have good news: one of our wishes for 2026 has already been fulfilled. Not by Santa Claus, of course, but through positive thinking and a commitment to collaboration with our umbrella organization META Vzw and VVM De Lijn."
"META is the umbrella organization of Flemish associations dedicated to preserving old trams and buses. At the end of the 19th century, Belgium had the densest railway network in the world. Not all regions had "railways," however, which is why the NMVB (National Company of Local Railways) was founded in 1884. In 1955, Flanders had one of the densest tram networks in the world."
"In the early 1980s, Axel Vandecasteele and Thierry Hamal, then students, spent most of their free time exploring the STIB network (Brussels' public transport company). In February 1981, they were given a project (crazy? Oh yes!): to create a magazine that could print and share their daily observations. The void left by the disappearance of "La Flèche" and a taste for adventure led to the publication of "Propost" No. 1 on March 20, 1981.
A modest debut, as the circulation was limited to 20 copies, and the investment (200 Belgian francs or about 5 euros) was fully covered by their modest student budget.
Propost was actually only published "on a trial basis for an indefinite period", had no bank account and had no plans for a subscription system. In fact, distribution initially only took place at the monthly meetings of AMUTRA.
It was at the end of 1981 that our magazine, thanks in particular to sales at the ARBAC fair, became a success. The circulation exceeded 100 copies, subscriptions multiplied, while a complaint from the postal service forced us to change our name. Since issue 10 in January 1982, "Tram 2000" has thus existed under its current name. With the year 2000 still far away, the name sounded very modern at the time. And when the symbolic year arrived, there was no need to change it; the title "Tram 2000" was on everyone's lips. Younger readers today might even associate it with a series of STIB trams..."
"Our role in Flemish mobility goes beyond simply transporting people by bus or (coastal) tram. De Lijn helps create social, economic and sustainable connections. These in turn create development opportunities and a sustainable future for us all. And thus a connected society automatically becomes a better society."