This will change from today: Tickets De Lijn more expensive, tobacco invisible in stores, support for the long -term sick

The Flemish public transport company De Lijn increases the rates from 1 April, for the first time in three years. The prices go up by an average of 18 percent, “in line with the increased lifetime since the previous adjustment”.

Some examples: The price of a standard ticket goes from 2.5 to 3 euros. A ten -ride card will cost 21 euros instead of 17 euros and a 50 -ride card 90 instead of 75 euros. A day ticket goes from 7.5 euros to 9 euros and a day ticket for a child from 4 to 4.5 euros.

Read too. Mixed feelings for train trambus after tariff changes at NMBS and De Lijn: “Fear that many travelers will drop out”

Most subscriptions also become more expensive. An Omnipas annual subscription (24 to 64 years) goes from 351 to 416 euros, for people over 65 the price goes from 56 to 67 euros. Only the rate for an annual subscription for 18 to 24-year-olds does not rise and remains at 215 euros.

Social rates are rising limited. A Subscription Transport Guarantee (VG) for a year will cost 54 euros, a subscription increased allowance (VT) 66 euros. These are the only rates that are still laid down by the Flemish Government.

A few practical matters will also change from 1 April. For example, the operator cost goes from a SMS ticket from 0.15 euros to 0.25 euros. And the validity of products on an electronic map shortens to 1 year.

Tobacco no longer visible in stores

Stores that sell cigarettes and other tobacco products may no longer be placed in the view of the customers from 1 April. In power shops larger than 400 square meters, no tobacco products may not be sold at all. It would be about one in ten of all points of sale, it sounded earlier.

The output ban applies to supermarkets, newspaper stores, gas stations and dutyfrewinkels, among other things. The tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, roll tobacco, filters, cigarette paper …) should not be visible inside or from the outside of the store. The shopkeeper can store them in, for example, cupboards or drawers, which are “neutral and sober”. And a product may only be shown if an (adult) customer specifically asks for that.

“The new measures must reduce the visibility of tobacco products in society,” says the Federal Public Service Public Health. “It increases the threshold to carry out impulse purchases and to start smoking. The new barriers are especially important for young people who are susceptible to nicotine addiction.”

Inspectors will initially focus on informing and raising awareness. Fines can follow at a later phase. They can go up to 800,000 euros for retailers who do not comply with the output ban and up to 24,000 for infringements on the sales ban in large food stores.

Buurtsuper.be, which represents independent supermarkets, stepped to the Constitutional Court against the prohibition of sale in the largest stores, because the criterion of store space is discriminatory according to the organization.

Help for the long-term sick with back to Werk-fund

The functioning of the back to Werk fund is being expanded. From 1 April, employees and job seekers who have been incapacitated for work for more than a year can turn to the fund for financial assistance with, for example, career guidance and personalized coaching.

The fund was started in April 2024. In the first year it only intervened for people who were fired for medical force majeure and were incapacitated for work. With such a dismissal, the employer must deposit 1,800 euros in the fund; The dismissed employees can in turn request a voucher from the fund with which they can buy customized to 1,800 euros in tailor -made guidance.

The operation is now being expanded to anyone who has been disabled for more than a year as an employee or job seeker.

Read too. Less than 20 sick employees asked Job premium: N-VA asks for adjustment from back to Werk-fund

The return to Werk fund is managed by the National Institute for Sickness and Invalidity Insurance (RIZIV).

Social rates for energy again

The social rates for electricity and natural gas will increase further in April. The increase is less than in the past quarters, according to data from the Federal Energy Regulator CREG.

The social rate for electricity increases by about 9 percent compared to the first months of the year for the period April-June. The two previous quarters, the rate rose by more than 10 percent. The social rate is even lower than the beginning of 2024.

For natural gas and heat, 5 percent are added. Three months earlier it was 15 percent.

The social rate is a reduced rate for certain categories of people or households. It is the same for all energy suppliers. The CREG records the amount per quarter.

Train more bus drivers

Bus companies can train more new drivers in the workplace from 1 April. The measure must help to tackle the shortage of bus drivers.

It is a relaxation of the individual vocational training (IBO). This is a form of learning in the workplace where candidate bus drivers are trained by the bus companies themselves. Until now, a supervisor was able to train only one candidate bus driver, but from April he will be able to take care of it.

The relaxation is an initiative of Flemish Minister for Work Zuhal Demir (N-VA) and Minister of Mobility Annick de Ridder (N-VA). “She provides a faster and better inflow of bus drivers. Important for employers and candidate showers, but also for the many travelers who count on their public transport on a daily basis,” says Demir.

Bus federation FBAA is satisfied. “The bus companies are looking for 950 new drivers, so this is very good news,” says CEO Pieter van Bastelaere.

Autobus driver is a recognized bottleneck profession.