The use of public transport in the province has significantly increased in 2024 compared to 2023, by 13.7 percent. Public transport is not yet completely back to pre-corona levels, but very close. Due to staff shortages, there are fewer drivers and mechanics available, which causes issues with the execution of the timetable. With an average rating of 7.9, public transport is again rated highly this year. This is evident from the new annual and trend report for public transport 2024, which describes how bus and tram services have performed in the province.
This year, service cancellations are better than last year. However, the shortage of both drivers and mechanics remains a problem. Despite these issues, passengers are finding their way back to public transport. This year, more electric buses have been in operation, reducing emissions from the concessions per passenger kilometer.
Safety
Social safety is rated well by passengers, with about 90 percent giving a score of 7 or higher. These are stable figures compared to the previous year. However, the score is particularly high during the ride and slightly lower at the stops. This is a point of attention for 2025. The recorded incidents have increased this year, due to more targeted monitoring.
André van Schie, deputy for mobility: Our residents are rediscovering public transport: the number of passengers is almost back to pre-corona levels, and we expect this growth to continue in 2025. Unfortunately, the province and transporters could not fulfill all ambitions last year, and therefore we work every day towards a better public transport offering.
New Developments
Every year there are new developments in the provinces public transport. For instance, there have been tenders for the regional taxis, and six upgraded bus and tram stops have been placed between Vaartsche Rijn and R+R Science Park. Also, trams operated for the first time on weekends in 2024 during home games of FC Utrecht and during open days of the Hogeschool Utrecht and the Universiteit Utrecht.
Read the full annual and trend report for public transport 2024.
For press information:
jelmer.geerds@provincie-utrecht.nl
06 42 47 30 33
