“We’re not profitable enough”

• John Kompeer

  interior curator

The new public transport timetables (buses, trams, metro and ferries) will come into effect today in most of the country. In the past, such a moment often boiled down to more trains, more buses and better connections. But everything has changed since the corona virus: fewer people travel by public transport, carriers are struggling with staff shortages, timetables have been reduced.

The consequences are felt by, among others, people who depend on the bus for their transport, especially in rural areas

Freek Bos of the Rover Traveler Association is concerned: “Last year it was about relatively small changes, like fewer buses per hour or the cancellation of the first or last journey. But now whole lines are being cancelled.”

They notice this, for example, in Een, a village north of Drenthe. Regional bus line 84 has been discontinued there in the new timetable. According to the province, too few people have used it and cuts have to be made due to the loss of crown support. There is no alternative for the residents, as the nearest bus stop is now miles away.

Resident and council member Christel Pijpker is disappointed. “How are our young people going to school now? And the less mobile elderly who want to do the shopping?” Piper didn’t give up. “I started a petition and had numerous consultations with provinces and transporters. But without success”.

The village of One is no exception. From Drenthe to Friesland to Goeree-Overflakkee, bus lines throughout the Netherlands will be permanently shut down this weekend, especially in rural areas.

Previously, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency came to the conclusion that many facilities in rural areas are not or are difficult to access by public transport. According to the PBL, this is partly the result of political choices. This leads to transport poverty: People cannot fully participate in society because they cannot reach their destination.

According to Freek Bos of the Rover Travelers Association, canceling a bus route often happens because of costs. But governments can also look at this differently, he thinks. “Public transport costs money. But when people isolate themselves, mental health care can cost even more. Just like those special vans that the elderly and needy can order. What if a regular bus service just rolled in there?” “

The cancellation of the bus route gives Christel Pijpker in North Drenthe a bad aftertaste. “As if we don’t matter here in the countryside. They say: you are not profitable. And Pijpker can already see the consequences around her. “We see here that families take the cancellation of the bus route as a reason to move. For example, because they have children who will soon have to attend middle school nearby. I think it’s a shame.”