A new report by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) reveals a steep decline in public transport accessibility across the Netherlands, with increasing travel times and limited service routes affecting citizens who rely on buses, trains, and trams. The report emphasizes the difficulties faced by those who rely solely on public transportation, as they struggle to reach essential services like hospitals, schools, and workplaces.
Since 2012, public transport services have been reduced in many parts of the country, particularly in rural areas and city outskirts. Here in the north, for instance, there has been a record reduction in bus stops in the three northern provinces over the past five years. Drenthe saw a decrease of 17% in bus stops, while Groningen experienced a 15% reduction, and Friesland lost 7%. The decline has worsened accessibility for those who rely on public transport. The report finds that 30% of senior citizens cannot reach a hospital within 30 minutes, and 12% must travel for over 45 minutes. Additionally, 17% of schoolchildren cannot access a high school within 30 minutes using public transport.
“People without cars are increasingly disadvantaged,” the report states. “Accessibility to basic services is now much worse for them compared to car owners.” The study also shows that even in cities, where public transport options are generally more abundant, off-peak hours – such as evenings and weekends – pose significant challenges for commuters.
Wheels win: Public transport users struggle while drivers cruise
The report emphasizes the stark contrast between those who have access to a car and those who don’t. Car owners continue to enjoy relatively stable access to essential services, while public transport users face growing delays. Commuters who use cars can often reach their destinations faster, even during rush hour.
Job opportunities are also becoming harder to access for those without cars, particularly for low- and middle-income workers. The report notes that many jobs – especially in sectors that don’t require advanced degrees – are located in areas poorly served by public transport.
Shrinking services, growing distances
The study points out that recent spatial developments have worsened the situation. Since 2012, numerous services such as schools, supermarkets, and healthcare facilities have been moved out of smaller towns, requiring residents to travel longer distances. This has had a particularly strong impact on people living in rural areas, as well as those without private vehicles.
Jeroen Bastiaanssen, a public transport researcher at PBL, says that the accessibility crisis is partly due to political choices. “There’s been an underinvestment in public transport and a shift toward road infrastructure. Meanwhile, fewer services are available in rural areas, further isolating those without cars.”
Time for a tune-up
The report calls for the government to increase investment in public transport, cycling, and walking infrastructure, and to better integrate public transport hubs with essential services. Policymakers are being urged to prioritize accessibility improvements, particularly in areas hit hardest by service reductions.
“We need to restore public transport to its former reliability and efficiency,” said Bastiaanssen. “The accessibility gap between those with and without cars is widening, and without intervention, the situation will only get worse.”
Dutch public services: A tale of woe
The findings on public transport contribute to an expanding list of public services in the Netherlands that have experienced significant decline over the past two decades. The privatization of PostNL, for instance, has resulted in widespread delays, lost mail, and mounting customer frustration. Similarly, the disappearance of Postbank – a once-popular, low-cost banking option with numerous branches – has left consumers with limited choices: online banks, which many, especially the elderly, find inconvenient, or large, impersonal megabanks often criticized for high fees, low interest rates on savings, and frequently inaccessible customer service.
Meanwhile, Schiphol Airport, once one of Europe’s premier hubs, is slipping in the rankings due to chronic delays, overcrowded terminals, and frequent baggage mishandling.
The decline in these key areas has raised concerns that the Netherlands is no longer as efficient or well-managed as it once was, with many citizens increasingly dissatisfied with the state of essential services.
