Limburg is investing millions in free public transport for minimum income earners

The Provincial Council of Limburg has approved a plan to allow people with a minimum income to travel free on regional public transport during off-peak hours. Of the coalition parties, only the VVD voted against.

The province finances the pass, which allows people who earn up to 100 percent of the social minimum to travel for free during off-peak hours on trains and buses of Arriva, the regional carrier in Limburg. The province estimates that this concerns a total of around 60,000 people. Municipalities can also contribute money themselves to provide people with slightly more income with the pass. The scheme costs Limburg up to 4.5 million euros per year. In exchange for that money, Arriva has promised not to change the timetable any further, according to the province.

Municipalities have been asked to identify exactly which residents would be eligible for the scheme, which was previously called the Participate Pass, but has now been renamed Dal Vrij Limburg. It is up to the municipalities to determine when they will do this, a spokesperson for the province said. It is therefore not clear exactly when people can start using the scheme.

Bikker funds

Limburg wants to finance the plan from the so-called Bikker funds. This is money that the outgoing cabinet has allocated for regional public transport following a motion by Christian Union MP Mirjam Bikker.

In Limburg, almost all parties agreed to the proposal for Dal Vrij Limburg on Friday. Only JA21, 50PLUS (both opposition) and the coalition party VVD were against. During the debate on the plan, the VVD wondered whether the pass was the correct destination for the Bikker money and whether it could not be better spent on, for example, additional bus stops. In addition, several parties doubted whether Limburg is sure of the money from The Hague.

According to responsible deputy Jasper Kuntzelaers (PvdA), the province has confirmation from the government that the money will be available. It only needs to be transferred, he reassured the Members of Parliament and he thinks this will happen soon. Moreover, according to Kuntzelaers, Dal Vrij Limburg meets the government’s requirements for the expenditure of the money.