Earlier this week, Dutch MPs voted for a cheap, unlimited public transport subscription all year round, valid for trains, buses, trams, and the metro system.
However, don’t sell your bike just yet, because the cabinet must still investigate how feasible this plan is and work on a plan for its implementation.
Here’s what to know
Jointly signed by Habtamu de Hoop (PRO), Pieter Grinwis (Christian Union), Sandra Beckerman (Socialist Party), and Ines Kostić (Party for the Animals), the motion asks for a permanent dalurenticket — valid for travel on trains, buses, trams, and the metro system, outside of rush hour.
Specifically, it requests “the Government, in consultation with transport operators and local concession-granting authorities, to work in the coming period on the preparation of a permanent off-peak ticket for trains, metros, trams and buses”.
The four MPs point to the overwhelming success of the ‘Nederland Dal Vrij’ programme, which saw over half a million tickets sold.
In their view, the huge ticket sales demonstrate “a need for an affordable off-peak ticket on public transport”.
Why couldn’t the summer deal keep going?
In a letter to Parliament last June, State Secretary for Infrastructure and Water Management Annet Bertram noted that the Nederland Dal Vrij deal couldn’t be extended beyond August 31 for various reasons.
In particular, September was the busiest month of the year for transport operators, and the cabinet wanted to “prevent trains from becoming too crowded during that busy period”.
Plus, commuters without an OV-chipkaart were left out of the deal altogether, as the Nederland Dal Vrij deal is only available on an OV-chipkaart.
However, Bertram isn’t entirely against the idea of a new programme going forward. She notes that the cabinet wants to “map out the effects of Nederland Dal Vrij Trein”, in particular its impact on fuel savings and affordability.
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