Time to pack your bags! In a push to make rail travel more accessible to families, the municipality of Rotterdam will start its first free travel trial for kids from the new year onward!
As of January 1, 2022, all children registered in Rotterdam aged 4 to 12 can travel for free on the metros, trams, buses, and the EBS bus line, according to the OV Magazine. That’s right — free! (Dutchies, rejoice!)
The future is greener & a whole lot more fun 🌳🎢
This trial likely won’t be the last of its kind as cities around the EU craft new ways to facilitate a post-car future. While rail travel remains rather expensive for families, the municipality of Rotterdam hopes to change this.
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Alderman Judith Bokhove of Mobility, Youth and Language, thinks that this move could aid children in familiarizing themselves with public transport and enable them to discover their city in new ways. Not to mention giving parents a bit of break 😅
No good deed without its costs
The city council approved a budget of 1.9 million euros on Thursday for the implementation of this one-year trial alone.
Faouzi Achbar, the Denk (Think) party chairman who proposed the initiative, told AD that he is optimistic about the implications of this move as he believes they are providing a positive incentive, rather than taking prohibitive measures.
Which other cities would you like to see take similar action? Tell us below 🤗
Feature Image: AllaSerebrina/Depositphotos
“The city council approved a budget of 1.9 million euros…”. This means the program is NOT free.
A more appropriate headline/take would be, “ The city of Rotterdam is spending €1.9 million so children can ride buses and other public transportation without paying. For a country with a rich tradition of riding bicycles this seems extremely counterproductive. What’s next with the city Council, will they now put in “rolpad” in schools so the children no longer have to walk between classes?