Dutch public transport has large deficits that are covered by subsidies of the government. In particular, the deficits are large in urban and rural transport. One of the reasons for the bad financial performance is the unequal dispersion of the demand for public transport in space and time. The highest costs are the costs of driving personnel and, particularly in rail transport, the vehicle costs. Lowering these costs as well as increasing stop spacing are the most effective measures for reducing the costs per seat kilometer. If the government stops subsidising public transport, it will not necessarily cause a large reduction in public transport supply. The supply of urban and rural transport will be most affected. The price will increase and the spatial availability will decrease. In the non-peak periods the vehicles will be more crowded. Level of service and price of the train supply will be rather unaffected, apart from the planned extension by a wide-meshed network for high speed trains (HST). If the transport companies are primarily directed to gain high profits, a further decrease in public transport supply will result. Train prices may increase, railway lines and stations may be closed, and the time availability will decrease. The frequencies will be lower, and in the quiet periods the rural areas and small towns may be devoid of local public transport. (A)
Abstract