Residents with a minimum income from three South Holland municipalities can now travel for free during off-peak hours. Soon, this special public transport card will also start in other municipalities.

Provincial executive Frederik Zevenbergen (mobility) handed over an enlarged card to alderman Berend Jan Bruggeman (social domain) of Goeree-Overflakkee. Residents of Goeree-Overflakkee have been able to use such a card since early January (but in a smaller format).

Support

The free off-peak subscriptions are intended for people with a minimum income who live in areas where the province of South Holland organizes public transport. The card has already been delivered to the first residents in the municipalities of Krimpenerwaard and Katwijk who fall under the target group. In early February, several other South Holland municipalities will start with the card. The province is having positive talks with all 29 municipalities eligible for the public transport card.

“This subscription card gives people with a minimum income in a large part of South Holland more freedom to travel,” says provincial executive Zevenbergen. “We are pleased that this practical support is now becoming a reality.”

Limited budget

“We think it is important that everyone can participate,” explains alderman Bruggeman. “In Goeree-Overflakkee – a large municipality – travel is often necessary, but for residents with a limited budget, it is not always affordable. The public transport card helps them to do groceries, maintain social contacts and participate in (volunteer) work.”

“Transdev has extensive experience with the public transport minimum income product in several concessions,” says regional director Gosse Veenstra of Transdev. “We are pleased that in cooperation with the province and the municipality, we can now do even more for the relevant residents of Goeree-Overflakkee by expanding their travel area.”

The off-peak subscriptions apply:

  • After 9 a.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends and public holidays
  • On all buses of Transdev and Qbuzz operating on behalf of the province of South Holland
  • On the train between Dordrecht and Geldermalsen (MerwedeLingelijn)
  • On the train between Alphen aan den Rijn and Gouda
  • On the Waterbus (Rotterdam-Drechtsteden)

Municipalities contact participants

The number of off-peak subscriptions reimbursed by the province is distributed among municipalities based on the number of residents with a minimum income. Municipalities decide whether to participate in the pilot. They also determine the income limit and can reimburse additional subscriptions if desired. Municipalities can register residents with a minimum income with the service organization WijMobiel. This organization sends the free OV-chip cards with the off-peak subscription to residents and is available for questions.

These municipalities can participate

The Rotterdam The Hague metropolitan region organizes public transport in its own area and does not participate in the pilot. Municipalities in the rest of South Holland can register. These are:

  • Alblasserdam
  • Alphen aan den Rijn
  • Bodegraven-Reeuwijk
  • Dordrecht
  • Goeree-Overflakkee
  • Gorinchem
  • Gouda
  • Hardinxveld-Giessendam
  • Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht
  • Hillegom
  • Hoeksche Waard
  • Kaag en Braassem
  • Katwijk
  • Krimpenerwaard
  • Leiden
  • Leiderdorp
  • Lisse
  • Molenlanden
  • Nieuwkoop
  • Noordwijk
  • Oegstgeest
  • Papendrecht
  • Sliedrecht
  • Teylingen
  • Voorschoten
  • Waddinxveen
  • Zoeterwoude
  • Zuidplas
  • Zwijndrecht

Residents of the above municipalities who decide to participate in the pilot and qualify will be contacted by their own municipality.