Subsidy pot for coach companies quickly empty

Entrepreneurs and concession holders for public bus transport found the subsidy pot well during this 2^nd application period. As a result, it was quickly emptied. During the first opening of Stour in 2024, this was also the case. At that time, 13 subsidies were granted. This year, most applications came in on the first day. By the end of May, 18 coach companies had applied. 

Entrepreneurs and concession holders

Entrepreneurs with a coach company and concession holders for public bus transport can apply for the subsidy. Concession holders are companies that provide public transport in a region or on a line on behalf of the government for a number of years. They deploy emission-free coaches as express buses or substitute train transport.

€ 7 million subsidy

In 2025, € 7 million has been made available. Half of this was for coach companies, and the other half for concession holders. The coach companies requested more than € 1.8 million more than the € 3.5 million reserved for them. Therefore, the money that remained for concession holders will now go to the entrepreneurs with coaches.

Switching to emission-free coaches

There are 250 coach companies in the Netherlands, with a total of 3,500 coaches. The vast majority run on fossil fuels such as diesel. A few buses are already emission-free and thus do not emit CO₂. The transition to electric cars and vans is already in full swing in the Netherlands. STour aims to accelerate the transition to electric coaches as well. Electric vehicles are more expensive to purchase than comparable vehicles running on fossil fuels. The subsidy helps entrepreneurs with these additional costs.