The Dutch people have chosen this, the Wilders cabinet is coming!
The new outline agreement 2024 – 2028, entitled 'Hope, Courage and Pride', released by PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB, sheds an ambitious light on the future of Dutch mobility. This policy document promises major changes and improvements in various areas, from the construction of new railway lines to making the vehicle fleet more sustainable. Here is an analysis of the most notable initiatives and their potential impact on our daily travel experiences.
One of the most eye-catching projects is the continuation of the construction of the Lelylijn, a crucial connection that will start in Groningen, depending on the technical feasibility. This project is not only a boost for the northern economy but also a strengthening of the national rail infrastructure that promises seamless connections with the rest of Europe.
International rail transport will also receive a boost by reducing barriers for new entrants to the market. With a proposal for cross-border rail transport that connects five train stations, including Hengelo, Venlo, Heerlen, Groningen and Zwolle, to international high-speed lines, the Netherlands is taking steps towards a more integrated European railway network.
In addition, the accessibility of the countryside is being addressed by strengthening bus transport between village centers. This is an important step to make rural areas more accessible, which contributes to the quality of life and local economies.
Opposition leader Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks-PvdA) calls the main agreement of PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB 'disastrous for the Netherlands'. "It's a black day."
Safety in public transport will receive an important boost with the deployment of more special investigating officers (boas) on trains and buses, who will be given more extensive powers. Experiments are also being conducted with body cameras for chief conductors, although this is being introduced on a voluntary basis.
With regard to aviation, the emphasis is on improving the legal protection of local residents with regard to noise pollution, while maintaining Schiphol's network quality. The future of aviation is also looking greener with plans for quieter and cleaner aircraft.
The maintenance task of existing infrastructures remains a priority, with the aim of maintaining the basic quality of roads, waterways and the public transport network. This also includes a review of 17 paused projects, including improvements to the A1/A30 and A67, as well as the Volkerak and Kreekrak locks.
Innovation is not lagging behind; the sustainability of the vehicle fleet will continue with incentives for electric driving, with electric drivers making a fair contribution to the financial sustainability of this policy.
This outline agreement shows a clear commitment to improving and modernizing Dutch mobility. The coming years promise to be transformative with a wide range of initiatives that will change the way Dutch people travel.
The Mobility Alliance sees starting points in the coalition agreement presented on Thursday to improve the accessibility of the region and the city, but also calls for more ambition and a long-term vision.
For the Mobility Alliance This agreement is a good start with an eye for important tasks such as opening up housing, maintenance and expanding the infrastructure. At the same time, more is needed to tackle the problems. The maintenance task of the main infrastructure and the underlying networks alone requires significant additional investments. According to the representation of leading organizations, if we also want to accommodate population growth and make housing accessible, while making our mobility sustainable and affordable for the citizen, we need additional policy, pace and more resources.
“I am pleased that extensive attention is paid to the railway in the main lines agreement. That is also necessary, because rail offers solutions to important problems of our time."
John Voppen, CEO of ProRail
These plans, welcomed by rail manager ProRail, emphasize the essential role of train traffic in promoting national accessibility and tackling current social challenges.
John Voppen, CEO of ProRail, has expressed his satisfaction with the prominent role of rail in the agreement. According to Voppen, this focus is not only welcome but also necessary: “Railways offer solutions to important problems of our time,” says Voppen. He emphasizes the importance of an inclusive approach in which, in addition to passenger transport, sufficient attention must also be paid to rail freight transport. With an optimistic view, he looks forward to the collaboration between the various stakeholders to keep the Netherlands accessible and mobile.