During the members' meeting at the De Salentein estate in Nijkerk, Bertho Eckhardt handed over the gavel of Royal Dutch Transport (KNV) to his successor Fred Teeven, former State Secretary for Security and Justice, after an impressive term of eleven years.
Eckhardt stepped down after a period in which his stay was extended even during the pandemic, because his continuity and expertise were considered essential for the association. Teeven, known to many for his past in politics and his involvement in the transport sector, was unanimously welcomed by the members as the new chairman.
The extension of Eckhardt's chairmanship was deemed necessary at the time due to the departure of the then KNV secretary and director, and the decision to appoint one joint chairman for both KNV Zorgvervoer en Taxi and Busvervoer Nederland. This decision, which required a renewal of the statutes, provided stability at a time when the association had to deal with multiple changes and challenges.
Fred Teeven was presented as the ideal successor to Eckhardt. The former VVD politician, who previously sat in the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2017 and focused on numerous social themes, brings with him a unique experience and affinity with the sector. Teeven was once a student driver and recently drove as a bus driver, which not only makes him known to the members, but also contributes to his insight into the daily practice of passenger transport. His direct experience and broad network make him, in the words of the KNV members, 'the man to steer the association through turbulent waters in the coming years'.
Vice-chairman Edzard Enschede emphasized the care taken in the selection procedure for the new chairman: “We had a number of strong candidates, and although the choice was not easy, I believe that Teeven is an excellent choice. He has an enormous drive and tackles every position with the passion of a newcomer,” Enschede explained during an informal conversation after the ceremony. Despite his age, the committee sees Fred Teeven as a stable and committed leader who can represent the interests of the members in a time of economic challenges.
honorary member
Bertho Eckhardt, who has served as chairman since 2013, will remain closely involved with the association. During the ceremony, he was appointed honorary member of KNV, a tribute to his years of dedication and his strategic role within the organization. With his solid knowledge and connections, Eckhardt will remain available to provide advice and support to KNV.
However, the transport sector also has a number of bottlenecks that were discussed extensively at the meeting. An important topic that is occupying minds is the NEA index, which reflects the annual increase in costs for the sector. This year, the index has been set at 1,5%, a percentage that many members believe is too low to compensate for the increasing costs for matters such as business operations, insurance and salaries. Secretary Jantine Vochteloo announced that the creation of this indexation and the parameters used by research agency Panteia will be critically examined. The desire to find a better connection between the index and the reality of the rising costs in the sector is widely shared among members.
During the ceremony, Bertho Eckhardt was appointed honorary member of KNV, a tribute to his years of dedication and his strategic role within the organization.
KNV is more than a trade association for passenger transport. It is the umbrella organisation for the sub-associations KNV Zorgvervoer en Taxi, Busvervoer Nederland and KNV Connected Mobility. In addition, KNV manages the secretariat of OV-NL, the trade association for public transport in the Netherlands. Together, the members of KNV represent almost 80% of the Dutch market for passenger transport, from taxis and care transport to buses and mobility services. With this broad constituency, the association faces the challenge of continuing to effectively defend its interests and at the same time anticipate economic and policy developments.
new phase
The appointment of Fred Teeven marks a new phase for KNV, in which advocacy and operational support of the sector are paramount. His appointment is seen by the members as a valuable step in maintaining the continuity that Eckhardt has built up. Teeven is faced with the task of facing the challenges of the sector, ranging from price pressure due to indexation to the changing demands of mobility and sustainability. Expectations are high, and the coming years will show how the new chairman will fulfil this responsibility.
