Everyone knows them: the De Lijn buses and trams. But few people realise how much work goes on behind the scenes to keep the interior of every vehicle clean. That is the responsibility of Mobility Masters, the division of Multi Masters Group that specialises in cleaning vehicles in the public transport sector.
With a fleet of around 2,250 buses and 400 trams, De Lijn transported more than 373 million passengers in 2024. Their fleet is constantly evolving: older vehicles are being phased out, while electric models are being added. “Our ambition is to be fully electrified by 2035,” says Sabine Hoflack, Operations Coordinator at De Lijn. She has worked at De Lijn since 2004 and now coordinates projects around safety and monitors the interior cleaning. She also maintains contact with external partners such as Multi Masters Group.
Nine cleaning rounds a year
Since 2018, Mobility Masters has been responsible for the interior cleaning of the entire fleet. Every bus or tram is fully cleaned every five weeks, around nine times a year. Once a year, a thorough deep clean is also performed, including the use of a steam machine. Mobility Masters also offers fast solutions for unexpected situations.
“An emergency clean after a can of soda has spilled on the floor, or any other kind of mess, can easily be requested through the Multidesk tool. Graffiti, stickers and chewing gum are also removed systematically,” Sabine explains. “In Ghent, they even take care of sanding the trams, a technical procedure that guarantees braking safety.”
This digital tool, Multidesk, developed specifically for De Lijn, plays a central role. It offers a complete overview of planning, quality checks, product data sheets and requests.
“The digital tool Multidesk offers tremendous added value. It allows us to respond quickly to shortages or incidents, and it’s clear which vehicles take priority.”
Proven flexibility during Covid
According to Sabine, what makes this partnership so strong is the way Multi Masters Group contributes to and deals with situations. This was especially evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the company scaled up from 5 to 50 cleaners within a few weeks to guarantee daily disinfection of all vehicles. “The quality Multi Masters Group delivered at the time ensured we could protect both our staff and our passengers,” Sabine recalls.
“This isn’t a classic client-supplier relationship, but a genuine partnership in which Multi Masters Group thinks proactively and offers solutions, both operationally and in terms of budget.”
The partnership was renewed in 2025. “Multi Masters Group stood out thanks to its digital tool Multidesk, its efficient way of working and its open communication. We have direct contact with the supervisors and masters working on site,” says Sabine Hoflack. “They don’t just help us keep our vehicles clean, they also contribute to optimising our planning.”
