Scheveningen is one of the most popular seaside resorts in the Netherlands, where thousands of tourists enjoy the sun, sea and beach every year.
A familiar sight on the boulevard is the tourist train, an attraction that runs back and forth along the coastline from April to October. Although at first glance this train seems like a charming addition to the tourist offering, there is a growing controversy lurking beneath the surface that can no longer be ignored.
The tourist train, operated by Boulevardtrein from Naaldwijk, is a tractor and Tschu-Tschu NTD passenger transport trailers from 1993. This is remarkable at a time when sustainability is increasingly high on the agenda. Many cities are taking measures to reduce harmful emissions by, for example, introducing low-emission zones (LEZ) and promoting electric transport. However, the municipality of The Hague in Scheveningen seems to be ignoring this trend. The boulevard train causes significant pollution through the emission of nitrogen and other harmful substances.
But it is not just pollution that is worrying. Another point of concern is the vagueness surrounding the train's license plates. Two license plates, VL-29-FJ a petrol TSCHU-TSCHU Suzuki type S 413 and VV-65-RH a diesel TSCHU-TSCHU NTD, do not yield any results when requesting information from the RDW. This raises questions about the legality of the train. Have the license plates expired or even been withdrawn and what is the status of a valid MOT?
Questions about the license plates, insurance of the train or plans to replace them with a more environmentally friendly alternative remain unanswered
The lack of clarity is further increased by the fact that Maurice de Bruijne, owner of Boulevardtrein, remains completely at fault despite repeated requests for comment. Questions about the license plates, insurance of the train or plans to replace them with a more environmentally friendly alternative remain unanswered. No clarity is also provided about the permits and any obligations towards the municipality of The Hague.
This lack of transparency fuels speculation and concerns about the legitimacy of the boulevard train. Without valid license plates it is difficult to determine whether the vehicle meets the strict Euro emission standards, which are required by law. This raises the question of whether the train is still allowed to be on the road at all.
The TSCHU TSCHU train, whose wheels are driven by a combustion engine, makes its way through the often busy crowds on the boulevard, where a shrill bell is the only signal for pedestrians to move aside. Dangerous situations regularly arise, especially during the busy summer months, when the boulevard is packed with tourists and families. Some concerned citizens even fear that it is only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs.
In other tourist areas, investments have been made in sustainable alternatives for years. Electric tourist trains, which are silent and emission-free, have replaced diesel variants in many places. These green initiatives are generally welcomed by both residents and visitors, who are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of polluting vehicles on the environment.
permit
The fact that Scheveningen, as a prominent seaside resort, is lagging behind in this regard is remarkable and raises questions. The time seems ripe for the municipal council of The Hague to intervene and demand that the operator of the boulevard train take sustainability measures. Revising the permit can be a powerful instrument to enforce change.
Although the boulevard train may once have been a charming addition to Scheveningen's tourist offering, it no longer fits in with today's pursuit of sustainability. The transition to cleaner and quieter means of transport is not only desirable, but also necessary to ensure that Scheveningen remains an attractive and safe destination for both current and future generations. It remains worrying that the operator has so far failed to respond to these serious issues, which only increases calls for action.
LEZ
The Hague has an environmental zone for passenger cars and vans that run on diesel. Old diesel cars that emit a lot of exhaust fumes are not allowed to enter the environmental zone. The environmental zone for vans will expire on January 1, 2025. Vans will then fall under the zero-emission zone. The environmental zone is stated in the Road Traffic Act. The municipality checks whether everyone adheres to it via cameras and special investigating officers. If you receive a fine, you will receive it from the Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB). Naturally, local exemptions and exemptions may apply to certain vehicle types other than passenger cars and vans, trucks and buses.
