Abstract
The decentralization, deregulation, privatisation and the introduction of competition in the public transport sector in the Netherlands offers local authorities the chance to execute public transport policy in a more effective way than the government. One of the underlying thoughts is that local authorities are in a better position to execute transport policy, because they are familiar with the local transport situation. However, it will take a lot of effort to take the chance and it is an easy one to miss. (A)