Keolis has been transporting visitors to Tomorrowland for more than 15 years. The shuttles mainly ran between Brussels Zaventem Airport, Brussels Midi Station, several Brussels hotels, Dreamville and the festival site in Boom. This was a huge logistical operation, made possible only thanks to the unconditional commitment of our Tomorrowland team, made up of around 150 Keolis drivers and our subcontractors, our mechanics, the various mobility services and all our partners, both remotely and on site.
"Preparation is the key to success"
Olivier Arcq, Planning Manager for the Brussels area, has been involved in organising Tomorrowland since 2013, alongside Juno Egerickx, Inside Sales Coordinator in Brussels.
"The preparation required is enormous, but it's the key to success," explains Olivier. "It starts several months in advance. First, we have to wait for the contract to be confirmed, then we start looking for drivers. Tomorrowland provides us with the festival-goers' departure and arrival times and the number of passengers. From there, we determine how many vehicles and drivers are needed."
His job is to assign drivers to routes, taking into account their other assignments as well as driving and rest times. "It's a real headache. We give priority to our own colleagues who are available to work during the two full weekends. We now have a list of drivers who are familiar with the services and whom we can rely on."
What is the biggest challenge in planning? "Last-minute changes. As a team, we remain flexible, but unexpected requests complicate matters. Last year, we suddenly had to transport 1,500 extra passengers because another coach operator pulled out. We managed it thanks to the flexibility of our drivers. This year, there have also been a few unexpected events, such as the delayed departure on Friday 18 July due to the installation of the “new” main stage, which delayed departures from the hotels."
Today, the team dedicated to Tomorrowland has become a well-oiled machine. "I am fortunate to be able to count on the entire Brussels team," says Olivier with pride. "Thanks to them, everything went smoothly, both behind the scenes and on the ground."
Solidarity among drivers
Negjmedin “Jimmy” Balaj has been a bus driver for over 20 years. A regular at the festival, he was called in as a reserve driver for both weekends this year. "The way we work is more or less the same every year," he explains. "Looking more closely at this year's event, I noticed that everything was well organised on site, thanks to the planning and the stewards at the departure points. The vehicles filled up quickly and left without any problems."
Jimmy confirms the excellent atmosphere among the drivers. "It doesn't feel like work, it's almost like a holiday, thanks to the festive atmosphere among the passengers. They're having the time of their lives, and you can feel it during the trips. That's why I come back every year with pleasure."
Daniel Dehenain, also a driver, agrees. Accustomed to tourism, he makes it a point of honour to contribute to the good mood of passengers, customers and colleagues. "I was asked to organise lunch in the car park where the drivers meet, as there were no catering facilities. So I made sandwiches for the Keolis drivers over the two weekends. I do this every year. Then I accompany the drivers to their hotels and stay available to take them out for dinner in the evening."
The daily get-together around the Keolis coaches has become a tradition. "It's great to see. I really feel like I'm representing Keolis. I was self-employed for 21 years, so for me, it's essential to do my job well. Creating a good atmosphere is an integral part of that."
Redaction: Brend Van Ransbeeck
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