Genk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Genk’s De Lijn unveiled an electric bus decorated with winning drawings from 4–5-year-olds at Uniek Living School and Optimum Free Primary School. Spokesperson Jens Van Her highlights eco-friendly, modern features.
As VRT News reported, Genk is to debut an electric bus featuring artwork by local primary school children across Limburg. The bus is based at De Lijn’s modern depot in Winterslag, one of the most advanced in the country, where electric vehicles are stored and maintained. They have USB charging stations, recycled leather seats, an electric ramp for people with reduced mobility, and large screens showing real-time travel information.
What Genk Schoolchildren’s Art Adorns De Lijn electric buses?
De Lijn and the city of Genk invited children to participate in the “Draw Your Future Mobility” contest. Students from 11 classes across three schools submitted designs imagining the future of public transport. 4 classes won: the age 4 and 5 groups from Uniek Living School, the Jungle Class, and the Wonderzoekers from Optimum Free Primary School. Their artwork was professionally applied as a colourful sticker on one of the new electric buses.
Teacher Tanita from Uniek Living School described how her students created the winning design for the electric bus.
“We brainstormed together about what a bus of the future would look like. That’s how we came up with a UFO that runs on green energy, such as leaves and plants. The bus picks up passengers and drops them off safely.”
The children approached the project with enthusiasm and creativity, using their ideas of future mobility and sustainability to guide their drawings. Their excitement was clear when the finished bus, featuring their artwork, arrived at the school playground in Winterslag.
“I can see from their faces how proud they are to see their drawing on the bus,”
said Ms Tanita.
“They really enjoyed being part of this.
The student-designed bus is part of a broader effort to electrify De Lijn’s fleet in Limburg.
“We’re organising a drawing contest for children in every province in Flanders to highlight De Lin’s electrification process,
says spokesperson Jens Van Her.
“This is especially important in Limburg, because Winterslag has one of the newest and most modern electric depots in the country.”
By rapidly expanding the number of electric buses in the region, the project seeks to reduce emissions and promote sustainable travel while involving the local community, especially children, in shaping the future of public transport.
Van Herp adds,
“This drawing contest and the children who participate convey that message. This bus will be a common sight on the streets for years to come.”
De Lijn’s move toward electric buses in Limburg began in 2023, aiming to reduce emissions and modernise public transport. By early 2024, depots like Winterslag were upgraded to store and maintain these buses. In March 2025, De Lijn and the city of Genk launched the “Draw Your Future Mobility” contest to involve local schoolchildren in designing the buses.
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