Limburg minimum income earners may use public transport for free during off-peak hours, the Provincial Council has decided. They will soon receive a Dal Vrij Limburg pass from transport company Arriva through their municipality.
Paid with Bikker money
The pass should make public transport simpler and more accessible. And help holders to fully participate in our society. The Dalvrij Limburg Pass is paid for with approximately 4.5 million euros from the Limburg Bikker funds. This money pot made available by the House of Representatives is for investments in regional public transport.
Profit from coalition agreement
The Dal Vrij Limburg pass is a negotiated result of the coalition agreement, which the PvdA in particular has advocated. PvdA deputy Jasper Kuntzelaers is therefore happy with the decision: “Money should not be an obstacle to going to a job interview, volunteer work, family or friends.”
Preferably also outside off-peak hours
Aleida Berghorst, leader of the Staten faction of PvdA Limburg, adds: “Public transport must be accessible to every Limburg citizen. We would prefer that this also apply outside off-peak hours, but the future will show whether that is possible.”
Idea from GroenLinks
The idea for a Limburg discount pass for public transport dates back to 2023 and comes from Thea Jetten, group leader of the Staten faction of GroenLinks Limburg. She was inspired by a successful project in Nijmegen. With a so-called Bus Benefit subscription, people with a low income can take the bus unlimitedly for a year during off-peak hours for fifteen euros per person. There is now a similar project in Nederweert.
Prevents isolation
Jetten is grateful that the PvdA, especially Deputy Kuntzelaers, has embraced and expanded her idea: “Minimums are increasingly unable to use their euro due to rising prices and lagging purchasing power. By giving them free public transport, we want to prevent them from becoming socially isolated.”
Countryside accessible
“Every day I see in my environment how important it is that people participate in society. Consider maintaining contact with people further away and being able to go to a hospital or shop. If that is not possible, your world becomes very small. Especially in rural areas, where people often have to travel longer distances to get somewhere.”
60,000 participants
It is not yet known how many people in Limburg will receive a Dal Vrij Limburg pass. In Dagblad De Limburger, CBS recently estimated that this concerns 60,000 people.
