If you’re caught without a ticket on a Dutch train, expect to be set back by a whopping €70! 😬
As RTL Nieuws reports, a tougher penalty is being introduced for those who skip the fare, with hopes that it’ll make your ride safer. Let’s see what’s about to change, and why. 👇
Busted by an inspector? That’ll be €70 fine, plus your ride
Starting this autumn, the fine for fare dodging in the Netherlands will jump by €20.
And yes, if you’re caught during one of the checks, you’ll still need to pay for your journey on top of the fine. 😬💸
”It sounds very logical: if you travel by public transport, you buy a ticket or check in,” says State Secretary Thierry Aarten (Public Transport and Environment), who tells RTL Nieuws about the upcoming change.
The last time the fine was raised was back in 2016, but according to local transport operators, fare dodging has been on the rise again, especially since the pandemic.
And with fewer fare dodgers and smoother checks, the trains may even start showing up on time. We can dream, right? 😅
Honest riders, this one’s for you
For those who check in daily, the change feels like a move in the right direction.
”It helps to deter freeriders, which is fairer for all our travellers who do pay properly,” says Hatte van der Woude, chair of the transport trade association OV-NL.
Sure, no one loves higher fines, but there’s growing support for a system that stands behind those who follow the rules. After all, if you’re paying your way… shouldn’t everyone else? 😉
Do you think €70 is enough to nudge freeloaders into checking in, or a step too far for a missed beep? Let us know in the comments below!
It should be an escalating scale. First offense €70. Second offense €100. Third offense €250. After that €250 plus 50 hours of community service.
I agree with this.
Or you could just make the fares cheaper to reduce the chances someone will try and dodge.
It’s literally cheaper to drive than it is to take the train.