After the corona crisis, the NS received compensation for declining passenger numbers, but ran fewer trains against the agreements. The carrier therefore received the maximum fine of 1.5 million euros, which should benefit the traveler. The NS, together with travelers organization Rover, organized a competition for this. About 6,000 people responded, who, according to the NS, expressed themselves “remarkably often” in favor of more social interaction.
According to Minister Rob Jetten, who answered the PVV’s question on behalf of responsible State Secretary Vivianne Heijnen (Infrastructure), the House cannot be surprised with the outcome. According to him, State Secretary Heijnen has explained to the House several times why a fine was imposed and that travelers were allowed to express their views on how the money should be spent.
“What good is a dating app for travelers on a train that doesn’t even show up?” Heutink wonders out loud. Stoffer finds it inexplicable that the money goes to the app and would rather see it go to people who have difficulty making ends meet. VVD MP Hester Veltman also thinks social interaction in public transport is important. “But bringing travelers from A to B makes an excellent contribution to this.”
Habtamu de Hoop (GroenLinks-PvdA) agrees with Jetten: “We knew this as a Chamber. I might not have chosen the idea for this app myself, but the travelers themselves wanted it.” According to him, right-wing parties are making “a caricature” of the situation.
