Due to corona, transport companies have lost many travelers. And that costs money. “We receive 1.5 billion in compensation from the government, but we are still making a loss of 500 million euros. Corona makes it a worthless year. We have to compensate for that by cutting our timetable,” explains Pedro Peters, chairman of OV-NL.
Less subways
On average, therefore, from next year there will be 10 percent fewer buses, trams and trains. At least until July 1, regardless of how the corona crisis develops.
“How much less public transport there is differs per province. But nationally it is on average 10 percent less,” says Peters. “Take the bus from Nieuw-Vennep, via Schiphol to the heart of Amsterdam. It runs 12 times an hour, that will be 8 times.”
And the metro on the North / South line in Amsterdam is now only running six times an hour instead of eight.
Effects?
What are the consequences for travelers? “They have to wait longer for their train or bus on some routes. Because there are far fewer travelers due to the corona crisis, the consequences will be less than that.”
The frequency is mainly cut. “No routes will be canceled. With the exception of a few night bus lines. But much has already been canceled.”
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A lot of money
According to Peters, public transport has been hit enormously by the corona outbreak. “In the first wave, 80 to 90 percent of the travelers had disappeared. Now we have 35 to 40 percent fewer travelers. A lot less. But make no mistake: whether a train is full or half full: the train must be maintained and that costs a lot of money. “
Mondkapjesplicht
According to Peters, travelers also behave well in public transport given circumstances. “There is a small group of people who ruin it for the rest. Every now and then there are incidents with, for example, travelers who do not want to wear a mouth mask.”
Boas and conductors strictly see to it that a mouth mask is worn. This has been mandatory since June. “Every week we hand out hundreds of fines for people who don’t wear face masks. That amounts to 95 euros.”
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