Fred Teeven, the former State Secretary for Security and Justice, has been officially nominated by the boards of the associations KNV Zorgvervoer & Taxi and Busvervoer Nederland as the new chairman of Royal Dutch Transport (KNV).
With this nomination, KNV appears to see in Teeven a chairman who, thanks to his many years of experience in politics and public administration, is able to strengthen the Dutch transport sector and represent the interests of its members.
Fred Teeven is a well-known figure in the Netherlands with a long career in politics, most prominently as State Secretary for Security and Justice. His proposed appointment as chairman of KNV marks a new step in his multifaceted career. After his political career, Teeven has focused on a number of notable functions.
In 2022, he became chairman of the Association of Dutch Brewers, where he, as a leader of the Dutch beer sector, built a bridge between the industry and social interests. His career also has a strikingly practical side: Teeven worked as a bus driver in recent years, a position he has since resigned. His knowledge and experience in the sector make him, in the eyes of many, a suitable candidate to represent the interests of the transport sector.
challenges
De choice for Teeven as chairman of KNV comes at a time when the Dutch transport sector is facing several challenges. As an interest group, KNV is an important voice for companies in healthcare transport, taxi transport and bus transport, sectors that are all dealing with changing laws and regulations, rising costs and technological changes. The role of chairman is crucial for steering the organisation, strengthening its position in the political and social debate, and effectively representing the interests of its members. Teeven's experience as a former State Secretary and his insight into administrative processes can help him to lead KNV effectively in these turbulent times.
Royal Dutch Transport represents various segments within the Dutch transport sector, in particular companies that provide healthcare transport, taxi services and bus transport. These sectors have had to deal with stricter regulations in recent years, including the introduction of the On-Board Computer Taxi (BCT) and the upcoming Central Taxi Transport Database (CDT). However, the introduction of such systems, intended to make transport more efficient and transparent, has also led to much unrest within the sector.
to care
Many entrepreneurs express their concerns about the costs and technical feasibility of these new systems. For example, the introduction of the BCT brought unforeseen costs and caused operational problems. It is up to Teeven, as chairman of KNV, to find a balance between the interests of entrepreneurs and the requirements imposed by the government.
Bertho Eckhart, as outgoing chairman of KNV, has focused strongly on preparing the Netherlands for the mobility of the future. He emphasized the importance of better connecting and distributing transport flows.
With Teeven at the helm, KNV may be able to take a new direction, where Teeven’s political connections and experience in the public sector could come in handy. His previous work in public administration and his network within government could help strengthen KNV’s position, especially when it comes to negotiating new legislation that impacts the transport sector. This is especially relevant given the plans surrounding the CDT and other initiatives that affect entrepreneurs in the sector.
practical function
Teeven's appointment reflects a broader trend in his career, which has seen him hold a series of administrative and practical positions after his time in politics. His position as chairman of the Association of Dutch Brewers illustrates this pattern, as does his time as a bus driver, a role he fulfilled with great enthusiasm and dedication. Teeven's willingness to gain practical experience in the sector he will now represent can create a sense of connection and understanding among KNV members. He has been behind the wheel of a bus himself and therefore knows what it is like to work in the sector in daily practice.
The nomination of Fred Teeven as chairman of KNV fits into a broader development within Dutch politics and business, in which former politicians use their experience in the private sector. Due to their extensive knowledge of administrative processes and their network, they are seen as a valuable addition to organizations that need strong representation in the political arena. For KNV, Teeven may offer the knowledge and decisiveness to effectively defend the interests of the transport sector and to enter into discussions about the regulations and challenges that the sector faces.
Teeven’s appointment is still subject to approval, but the outlook seems positive. His experience and involvement in various sectors indicate that he is able to adapt quickly to the challenges that KNV will face. If he is indeed appointed, the Dutch transport sector will have a chairman who not only knows his way around the administrative landscape, but also has experience of working on the ground. This could give KNV and its members an advantage in a sector that is becoming increasingly complex.
In response to the internet consultation KNV Zorgvervoer en Taxi has responded extensively to the introduction of the Central Taxi Database, and this response contains clear concerns and recommendations. The organization, which represents the interests of the Dutch taxi and healthcare transport sector, calls for a careful and feasible implementation of the CDT, with an eye for the lessons from the problematic introduction of the On-board Computer Taxi (BCT) in 2014. KNV insists on a postponement of the mandatory introduction date until July 1, 2025 and advocates a phased approach with a pilot from January 1, 2025. According to KNV, these steps are essential to limit the technological and financial risks for the taxi sector.
2G network
A major concern that KNV raises is the lack of technical support for the 2G network, on which many existing BCTs still operate. Because this network is outdated and will disappear, entrepreneurs are faced with the choice of incurring high costs in a short period of time to replace equipment that will soon no longer be usable. “Without 2G support, our members risk being forced to make unnecessary investments,” states KNV in its response. The organization emphasizes that a premature introduction of the CDT could place an additional financial burden on entrepreneurs, which KNV considers undesirable.
In addition, there are concerns about vehicle validation. The current proposal requires that license plate cards be physically checked, a process that KNV sees as inefficient and costly. This problem particularly affects companies with large fleets. KNV proposes to enable alternatives such as an API connection, so that large fleets of more than 200 vehicles can be validated remotely and in bulk. “The sector benefits from a system that is easier to manage, especially for companies with large fleets,” says KNV.
Also privacy and data protection are still insufficiently guaranteed according to KNV. The outcome of the Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and the findings of the Dutch Data Protection Authority are awaited. According to KNV, the government must make it clear how the data of drivers and passengers will remain protected within the CDT. The organization expresses its concern about the protection of personal data and asks for transparency about the measures that have been taken to prevent privacy violations.
affordability
In addition to these technical and legal points, KNV criticizes the costs and affordability of the new system. According to the organization, there is little insight into the total costs associated with the introduction of the CDT, while many entrepreneurs are concerned about its affordability. “A system like CDT must remain accessible to all entrepreneurs. High costs must not be a barrier for smaller companies in the sector,” KNV emphasizes. The organization warns that, without a clear cost estimate and price structure, support for the CDT in the sector may decrease.
Furthermore, KNV questions the proposed supervision and enforcement policy. According to the organization, an effective control system is necessary to guarantee a level playing field and prevent legal inequality during the transition from the BCT to the CDT. According to KNV, inspectors must be given sufficient tools to supervise fairly and effectively. The current plans could lead to legal inequality during the transition period, because not all entrepreneurs switch to the CDT at the same time.
The experiences with the introduction of the On-Board Computer Taxi (BCT) have prompted KNV to be cautious with the introduction of the CDT. The BCT, which was originally introduced to improve transparency and control, resulted in unexpectedly high costs for both the government and the sector. KNV estimates that the government spent more than 45 million euros on the introduction of the BCT, while the costs for the sector itself amounted to more than 24 million euros. In addition, the BCT led to operational problems due to the high level of security and complexity. “We must avoid repeating the mistakes made during the BCT implementation,” according to KNV. Due to the strict security requirements, the use of the BCT became a lot more complicated for drivers and entrepreneurs, which led to high maintenance costs and a long implementation time.
open market
As an alternative approach to the CDT, KNV proposes several solutions that are both cost-effective and practical. The organization advocates for more flexible security that keeps the system safe without sacrificing user-friendliness. An open market for certified suppliers could also stimulate innovation and provide more affordable options. KNV also pushes for digital identification options, such as a digital wallet, that could eventually replace the physical driver card.
According to KNV, a phased implementation with a pilot for healthcare transport from January 2025 would provide valuable information about the practical applicability of the CDT. This pilot should enable teething problems to be identified early, allowing adjustments to be made before the entire sector has to work with the system. In addition, KNV emphasizes the importance of future-proof technology and calls on the organization to distance itself from outdated technologies such as the 2G network.
KNV's response to the internet consultation shows a clear course: the organisation is open to modernisation within the taxi sector, but states that the implementation of the CDT must be careful, affordable and effective. With its comments, KNV hopes to contribute to a system that not only utilises the benefits of digitalisation, but is also sustainable and accessible to all parties involved.
