Abstract
Transport policy is an important issue in the Dutch cabinet, as congestion is an increasing constraint for economic development. Simultaneously, a new public transport act has become effective January 1st, 1988. Under this act, government interference diminishes in favor of more emphasis on commercial issues. The challenge arises from several recent studies with great political impact. The trend is, that public transport must play an important role to ease congestion, otherwise environmental costs as well as costs in terms of money would be prohibitive.Recently, political concensus has been reached on this issue.