This paper presents the results of a number of scenarios for the development of local public transport in the Netherlands until the year 2000. Particular attention is given to the projected level of government subsidies and the utilization of local public transport. A comparison is made with projections of subsidies to be provided by central government. Drastic measures seem to be required to keep the subsidies within these limits. These include, among other things: (1) the reduction or loss-making parts of the network; and (2) measures to decrease travel time compared with private transport. The trade-off between reducing subsidies and increasing the use of public transport becomes clear. This is reinforced by the current system of funding local public transport. (A)
Abstract