Only Half of LeTec Buses Have AC as Heatwave Hits Wallonia

As a severe heatwave grips Belgium with temperatures reaching 40°C, newly released data shows that only 53% of LeTec buses in Wallonia are equipped with air conditioning, forcing the suspension of services during the hottest afternoon hours and raising serious concerns about passenger safety and driver working conditions.

According to figures published by RTBF, just 964 of the approximately 1,818 vehicles in the Walloon public transport operator’s fleet have functioning air conditioning systems. The lack of cooling has already led to the suspension of bus services between 13:30 and 17:00 on multiple days across several regions, with daily reassessments determining whether services can resume.

Stark Regional Disparities

The data reveals significant inequalities across LeTec’s five regional networks. Charleroi leads with 60% of its buses air-conditioned, followed closely by Liège-Verviers at 59% and Namur-Luxembourg at 58%. Brabant Wallon lags at 47%, while Hainaut trails dramatically with only 29% of vehicles equipped — the worst rate in the entire network.

These disparities are attributed to older fleets in Hainaut and Brabant Wallon, as L’Avenir reported. The contrast extends to vehicle types: all coaches (autocars) are air-conditioned regardless of region, while standard 12-meter and articulated 18-meter buses vary significantly. In Brabant Wallon, only 12% of standard buses have AC — the lowest rate for any vehicle category.

LeTec does not install air conditioning on older vehicles, citing prohibitive costs and limited remaining useful lifespan. Stéphane Thiery, Director of Marketing and Communication at LeTec, explained: “Such an operation would be too costly and would hardly make sense.” The operator instead relies on gradual fleet renewal, meaning air-conditioned buses are predominantly newer vehicles delivered over time.

Service Suspensions and Safety Concerns

The situation forced LeTec to suspend bus services entirely between 13:30 and 17:00 from June 24 to 26 in Hainaut, Brabant Wallon, Namur-Luxembourg, and initially Charleroi. Only the Liège-Verviers network remained fully operational due to its higher proportion of air-conditioned vehicles.

Audrey Depape, spokesperson for LeTec Hainaut, confirmed to Tele MB that the measure was taken after numerous cases of heat-related illness among both passengers and drivers. The operator emphasized that the goal was not to halt service entirely but to avoid putting passengers at risk during the hottest hours.

Comparison with Flanders

The contrast with Flanders is stark. Flemish operator De Lijn reports approximately 90% of its fleet has climate control. However, as HLN reported, even in Flanders problems persist. An investigation found a De Lijn bus operating between Genk and Maasmechelen without functional AC at 40°C, with union representatives warning that interior temperatures could reach 50°C.

Stan Reusen, Federal Secretary of the ACOD union at De Lijn, called for a broader debate on the future of public transport during extreme heat. “At 40 degrees outside, it remains around 34 degrees in a well-cooled bus. Without working air conditioning, the temperature can rise to 50 degrees in the bus. That is irresponsible,” he told HLN.

Fleet Renewal Plans

LeTec has committed to reaching 72% air-conditioned vehicles by 2029 through gradual fleet renewal. The operator is also pursuing decarbonization, with electric buses expected at the Mons depot from 2027, supported by the NextGen Belgium program funded by European recovery funds.

As DH/Les Sports+ noted, the heatwave has also affected rail services, with the SNCB removing 100 older trains without air conditioning from service and reducing some commuter lines.

Climate Adaptation Questions

The current crisis raises broader questions about whether Belgium’s public transport infrastructure is adequately adapted to climate change. With climate projections indicating that heatwaves will become more frequent and intense, the 2029 target of 72% AC coverage may prove insufficient — still leaving more than a quarter of the fleet unequipped.

The ACOD union’s call for a broader debate on public transport during extreme heat reflects growing concern about systemic preparedness. As Reusen noted, heatwaves are becoming more intense, and existing cooling systems may no longer be adequate. An anonymous De Lijn driver told HLN: “We have been reporting this problem for years, but nothing changes. At some point it becomes pointless to keep reporting it.”

For passengers in regions like Hainaut, where fewer than three in ten buses offer air conditioning, the immediate future looks challenging. LeTec maintains that gradual fleet renewal is the most cost-effective path forward, but for those waiting at bus stops in 40°C heat — or riding buses where interior temperatures can reach 50°C — the pace of change cannot come soon enough.

As Belgium grapples with yet another extreme weather event, the question is no longer whether climate adaptation is needed, but how quickly operators can deliver it. With the next heatwave all but certain, the pressure is mounting on LeTec, De Lijn, and the SNCB to accelerate their plans before temperatures rise again.