In an attempt to encourage those in the Dutch capital to ditch the car in favour of public transport, GVB has launched a new 1-euro day ticket. Throughout the summer months, those living and working in Amsterdam will be able to travel via any and all trams, buses, and metros over a 24-hour period for just 1 euro.
GVB launches 1-euro public transport ticket for the summer
On Thursday, GVB - which operates public transport in Amsterdam, Duivendrecht, Schiphol, Amstelveen, Diemen and Weesp - announced a significant discount on day tickets for the summer. Instead of the normal 8,50 euros, those who live or have jobs in or around Amsterdam will be eligible to purchase a 24-hour ticket for just 1 euro.
"We are getting more and more electric buses, brand new trams are driving, a lot has changed for the better in public transport in recent times," says commercial director Ellen Swinkels. "Time to try public transport again for a whole day. For 1 euro you travel criss-cross through Amsterdam for 24 hours. You can't park for that."
GVB hopes the initiative will result in fewer cars on the road during the summer holidays and boost passenger numbers, as they took a serious hit during the coronavirus pandemic and are yet to fully recover. Anyone hoping to make use of the 1-euro ticket can apply for it via a form on the GVB website. Applications will be open until August 26, and all tickets must be used by September 30 at the latest.
Will the Netherlands also introduce free or cheaper train travel?
With countries across Europe facing high inflation rates and rising prices, various governments and public transport operators have taken the initiative to offer travellers cheap or even free public transport tickets over the summer. In June, Germany launched the extremely popular 9-euro ticket, and this week the Spanish government announced that a number of short-distance train routes would be free between September and December.
While GVB is introducing something similar in Amsterdam, the Dutch government says it’s unlikely that it will follow in the steps of its European neighbours to offer free or heavily subsidised train travel. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has explained it’s a nice initiative, but questions how effective it would be in encouraging more people to take the train, and estimates it would cost the taxpayer at least four billion euros.
Oscar van Elferen from Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) shared a similar message: “We think it's a really good concept, but the question is who will pay for it? We are not able to offer a cheap ticket ourselves. We don't have the money for that."