Fines for dodging Dutch public transport fares to rise by 40 percent

Anyone caught riding public transport in the Netherlands without a ticket can expect a more expensive fine as the Dutch government has announced plans to raise the penalty amount by 40 percent from October 2025.

Fine for Dutch fare dodging gets first increase in almost a decade

The State Secretary for Public Transport and the Environment Thierry Aartsen has announced that fare dodgers on Dutch public transport will have to pay a higher penalty starting later this year. After almost 10 years without a price hike for the fine, Aartsen believes it is now necessary.

“We have now decided to increase the fines for fare dodging from 50 euros to 70 euros,” Aartsen told De Telegraaf. The penalty will be added to the price of the journey. This 40 percent price hike is intended to deter people from fare dodging. Penalties for paying your fine late will also increase. The increase will be introduced from October 1, 2025.

Aartsen claims fare dodgers cause trouble 

Aartsen claims that safety on public transport is one of his top priorities and that fines for fare dodging are important. "We see in practice that it is often fare dodgers who also cause trouble," said Aartsen. "They often cause an unsafe feeling. Women no longer dare to walk alone on the platform or in the train at night. And when [fare dodgers] go through the gates at the station, they often push people to sneak through.”

Not only might they be disruptive to other travellers, but fare dodgers also have not been seeing the same price rises as passengers with valid tickets. Since 2016, public transport costs have seen a cumulative increase of 25 percent, while the cost of the fine has remained the same. The new price should discourage those trying to take a free ride.