“Incomprehensible”: province and travelers unhappy about the loss of support for buses

Regional transport throughout the province is under pressure. The absence of tourists and commuters during the corona period has caused significant problems. The carriers are still very short on cash, the staff shortages are not affecting the sector and the compensation for the corona losses will also disappear at the end of the year.

The province is not happy about the loss of support. “Incomprehensible”, says deputy Jeroen Olthof, who is responsible for mobility and accessibility. “Over the past two years, we have together pumped hundreds of millions into public transport to make it survive during the corona crisis. That is money wasted if the support is stopped now, and that just before public transport has recovered.”

Olthof believes that especially now, with “all the challenges we face (housing, nitrogen, accessibility)”, a good public transport network is desperately needed. He predicts that without support from The Hague, fewer buses will run in North Holland next year. “While it is necessary that more and more people use public transport. Only in this way can we keep our province accessible and liveable.”

One bus connection

In some places, the timetable has already been cut considerably. In Muiden, residents have to make do with only one bus connection, which she takes out of the city to, among other things, the nearest train station in Weesp. The bus only goes once an hour.

When the number of bus passengers fell sharply during the corona crisis, bus operator Transdev decided to reduce the number of buses. With the lower number of passengers, it was not profitable to run the bus so often.

The Muiden bus line has been scaled back for a few years now, but it is not getting used to.“Outrageous,” one resident responds to NH Radio. All those old people have to wait half days for a bus. Nice††

According to the residents, the Muiden bus station is also at a location too far from the city. “It used to be better. The bus came closer to the center. Muiden is a tourist attraction and many people come to Muiderslot. The bus stops far too far away, a fifteen minute walk. Not possible. It is a mystery to me why that bus stop is so far.”

High emergency in all provinces

The need is high throughout the Netherlands, all provinces are today in a opinion piece in Trouw. They fear that people without a car will no longer be able to get to many places, including their work.

The provinces write that the support of two billion euros that the cabinet recently earmarked for a reduction in fuel excise duties is nothing. means for public transport travelers. They also argue that the government is sending the wrong signal: it is important for the climate and the prevention of traffic jams that travelers opt for the bus instead of the car.