Staatssecretaris Stientje van Veldhoven

Dutch government supports public transport with investment of 740 million euros

Foto: Marieke van Gompel

The Dutch government has announced on Tuesday that it will keep financially supporting the public transport sector in 2021. To this end, it has announced a so-called ‘availability fee’ of 740 million for the first half of the year to cover the shortages of the railway undertakings. Railway operators in passenger transport are suffering heavy losses as a result of the coronacrisis.

“We are extending the availability fee in 2021, which makes it possible for public transport companies to continue to operate, even with declining revenues,” said State Secretary Stientje van Veldhoven in an interview with SpoorPro on Tuesday.

Decrease of passengers

“This year there was a decrease in the number of passengers because of the policy of the Dutch government to stimulate people to work from home and only use public transport if necessary. At the same time, public transport is a vital sector. It is crucial for many people to get to work or visit family. The Dutch government believes public transport is of great importance and that’s why we are also supporting the sector next year.”

As a result of the policy of the Dutch government, it is expected that in the upcoming period the number of passengers and the revenues of railway undertakings will remain lower than before the coronacrisis. That is why the government supports the sector with the availability fee. At the same time, the government wants operators in public transport to create a transition plan for the reduction of costs.

Author: Marieke van Gompel

Marieke van Gompel is editor-in-chief of RailTech.com, RailFreight.com and SpoorPro.nl, online magazines for railway professionals.

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Dutch government supports public transport with investment of 740 million euros | RailTech.com
Staatssecretaris Stientje van Veldhoven

Dutch government supports public transport with investment of 740 million euros

Foto: Marieke van Gompel

The Dutch government has announced on Tuesday that it will keep financially supporting the public transport sector in 2021. To this end, it has announced a so-called ‘availability fee’ of 740 million for the first half of the year to cover the shortages of the railway undertakings. Railway operators in passenger transport are suffering heavy losses as a result of the coronacrisis.

“We are extending the availability fee in 2021, which makes it possible for public transport companies to continue to operate, even with declining revenues,” said State Secretary Stientje van Veldhoven in an interview with SpoorPro on Tuesday.

Decrease of passengers

“This year there was a decrease in the number of passengers because of the policy of the Dutch government to stimulate people to work from home and only use public transport if necessary. At the same time, public transport is a vital sector. It is crucial for many people to get to work or visit family. The Dutch government believes public transport is of great importance and that’s why we are also supporting the sector next year.”

As a result of the policy of the Dutch government, it is expected that in the upcoming period the number of passengers and the revenues of railway undertakings will remain lower than before the coronacrisis. That is why the government supports the sector with the availability fee. At the same time, the government wants operators in public transport to create a transition plan for the reduction of costs.

Author: Marieke van Gompel

Marieke van Gompel is editor-in-chief of RailTech.com, RailFreight.com and SpoorPro.nl, online magazines for railway professionals.

Add your comment

characters remaining.

Log in through one of the following social media partners to comment.