Friesland's public transport scores high with passengers, but improvements still needed
Passengers in Friesland rated their bus and train services at 7.8 in 2025, matching the national average. While satisfaction remains high, travelers highlight areas like seat availability and punctuality for further improvement, impacting daily commutes and travel convenience.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating (2025) | 7.8 (national average) |
| Regional Train Rating | 7.8 (down from 7.9 in 2024) |
| Bus Rating (Mainland) | 7.8 |
| Bus Rating (Wadden Islands) | 8.8 (up from 8.5 in 2024) |
| Key Areas for Improvement | Seat availability, cleanliness, daily trips, punctuality |
| Transport Providers | Arriva (train), Qbuzz (bus) |
| Survey Conducted By | Public Transport Customer Barometer |
| Survey Frequency | Annual (since 2001, excluding 2020) |
| Payment Method Praised | OVpay (debit card, mobile phone, or OV card for check-in/check-out) |
The Province of Friesland, in collaboration with transport providers, oversees regional public transport services to ensure accessibility and quality for residents and visitors. The Public Transport Customer Barometer provides data to guide policy decisions and service improvements based on passenger feedback.
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Passengers positive about bus and train transport in Friesland
Passengers in Friesland rated regional bus and train transport in 2025 with a 7.8. This aligns with the national average, according to the annual Public Transport Customer Barometer, where passengers share their opinions on public transport.
In 2025, regional train transport in Friesland received a rating of 7.8 from passengers. While the score remains high, it is slightly lower than in 2024 (7.9). Passengers are generally satisfied with their train journeys. Key points of attention include the availability of seats, cleanliness of the vehicles, and the number of daily trips.
Bus transport in Friesland also received a positive assessment. On the Wadden Islands, the report card score is an 8.8, an increase of 0.3 compared to the previous year. On the mainland, the rating stands at 7.8. Passengers on the Wadden Islands cite the number of daily trips and seat availability as the main areas for improvement. On the mainland, the focus is primarily on the number of daily trips and the punctuality of services, according to passengers.
“The results show that passengers are generally satisfied with public transport in Friesland. After the challenging transition in bus transport concessions, this is an important boost for bus services in our province. At the same time, passengers have clearly identified areas for improvement, such as frequency and seat availability. We will continue to work on these together with transport providers Arriva (train) and Qbuzz (bus),” said Deputy Matthijs de Vries.
Highlights of 2025
In 2025, public transport has further recovered following previous years of staff shortages. In many areas, the timetable has been expanded. Additionally, more passengers are using OVpay, which allows for easy check-in and check-out using a debit card, mobile phone, or OV card. Passengers also appreciate the convenience of payment methods.
Background on the Public Transport Customer Barometer
The Public Transport Customer Barometer annually measures passenger satisfaction with public transport across the Netherlands, including aspects such as comfort, safety, speed, and convenience. The survey has been conducted since 2001 (excluding 2020) and the results are published every March.