Mechelen Mayor Defends Bus Ban for Aggressive Teenager

Mechelen Mayor Bart Somers has imposed a one-month bus ban on a 17-year-old boy from Putte following repeated incidents of aggressive behavior, threats, and racist remarks against De Lijn bus drivers and fellow passengers. The decision, announced on June 12, marks the first time Somers has used this administrative power against a minor, and has ignited a broader public debate across Belgium about how to address youth aggression on public transit.

According to VRT NWS, the teenager’s behavior included a throat-slitting gesture toward a bus driver in early April 2026, followed by further incidents in early June involving verbal abuse, threats, racist remarks, and knocking a device from a De Lijn employee’s hand. Multiple police reports were filed.

The Mayor’s Position

“This boy wasn’t a first-time offender,” Somers said. “I didn’t make this decision based on one incident, but after repeated and pronounced aggressive behavior. Then I have to do something as mayor. Then I cannot look away and I look for a way to guarantee safety.”

The ban, effective from June 15 to July 14, prohibits the teenager from using two specific bus lines between Putte and Mechelen. Somers described the one-month duration as “mild considering the facts,” but noted he must adhere to the proportionality required by law.

HLN reported that Somers emphasized the measure sends a clear message: “Aggression has no place anywhere, and certainly not on public transport. Those who threaten employees or passengers attack our basic safety.”

Legal Framework and Enforcement

The bus ban is based on the Law of June 24, 2013 on Municipal Administrative Sanctions (GAS-wet), which allows mayors to temporarily prohibit individuals who repeatedly disturb public order from entering specific locations. The measure must be proportionate and applies only within the mayor’s own territory. Violation results in an administrative fine.

Enforcement will rely on police spot checks on the affected bus lines. Drivers who spot the teenager can report via dispatch. Somers acknowledged the challenge: “It’s not possible to check all buses entering Mechelen, but we will have police do spot checks and board the buses. It’s a signal to other bus passengers that we are not ignoring this.”

Broader Context: Aggression on De Lijn

The case comes against a backdrop of ongoing concerns about safety on Flemish public transport. In 2025, 2,028 De Lijn drivers and controllers were victims of aggression — a 12% decrease from 2024 and 30% less than 2019, but still representing a significant problem.

Kortrijk became the first Flemish city to impose a bus ban in January 2026, when Mayor Ruth Vandenberghe banned an 18-year-old from three bus lines after he severely assaulted a De Lijn driver. The Flemish government has since announced a 10-point safety plan, including more controllers, lockable cabins (now on 93% of buses), cameras (87% equipped, targeting 100% by 2027), and bodycams pending federal legislation.

Flemish MP Bert Maertens (N-VA), a long-time advocate for stronger measures, has called on all mayors to follow Kortrijk’s and Mechelen’s example, as reported on his website.

Reactions and Debate

De Lijn spokesperson Annelies Meynaerts welcomed the measure: “We welcome every measure that can curb aggression on public transport.” However, she noted that drivers cannot enforce the ban themselves and must rely on police intervention.

The decision has sparked a wider public debate. Some question whether a one-month ban is sufficient, particularly as it overlaps with the summer holiday period. Others raise constitutional concerns about mayors acting as investigator, prosecutor, and judge simultaneously. Alternative punishments suggested include community service cleaning buses, financial penalties, or boot camps.

What’s Next

Criminal reports have been forwarded to the public prosecutor, and the juvenile court may impose additional sanctions. The ban could be extended beyond July 14 if necessary. The case is likely to influence how other Flemish cities approach youth aggression on public transport, with several municipalities watching Mechelen’s implementation closely.

For now, Somers remains firm: “I hope it is also a signal to the boy that we do not accept his behavior.”