Free transit improves poor elderly quality of life

In Amsterdam, over-65's with low income have been able to use public transport for free since last year, under a scheme from the municipality. This experiment has proved successful, as the municipality announces that of the 14,000 people who requested a card, 85 percent make use of it daily or weekly, the NOS reports. The initiative started as a measure by the Amsterdam municipality to lessen the loneliness among poor elderly. People with the free OV cards say that they are now able to go out and do social things more often than they used to. The municipality sent these individuals a questionnaire. Most users say that they do feel more comfortable with the free public transport. At the end of this year, the experiment will come to an end. The municipality of Amsterdam will see if there is a way to follow up the experiment.