The company saw its passenger numbers drop by half in 2020
Translated by Thomas Ansell
Qbuzz, the regional bus company that runs a large number of services through Drenthe and into Groningen, lost 8.3 million euros last year. The numbers have come from yearly reports, via the Asser Courant.
In April and May of 2020, the bus company saw passenger numbers at just 13 to 20 percent of regular numbers. Though numbers did pick up late in the year, only about half as many people as usual rode on a Qbuzz bus in 2020.
“This is a heavy result from a painful year”, says general director Gerrit Spijksma. “The centre of our activities is the realization of mobility. COVID-19 has made travelling by public transport much more difficult: holding social distancing, face masks, extra cleaning; much less contact between passengers and staff, and so on.”
The company has been the recipient of Coronavirus support from the government, which has allowed it to continue its activities throughout the year. The support will also continue in 2021.
Ìmage via Wikimedia user Spoorjan, or Jan Oosterhuis. License here.