Amsterdam wants to keep public transport up to standard with extra €10 million

The city of Amsterdam wants to maintain public transport levels in the city by providing the capital's public transport service, GVB, with a guarantee of up to 10 million euros. Public transport in the largest Dutch city is in dire straits due to rising energy prices and the loss of revenue during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Amsterdam wants good public transport for residents and visitors. That is why the municipality wants to guarantee the GVB for an amount of up to 10 million euros," the mayor and aldermen said on Thursday.

"Do not scale down public transport further than necessary. Keep the number of journeys and stops up to standard as much as possible. The [mayor and aldermen] would rather see buses and trams run less often than entire lines shut down. The latter is more difficult to reverse."

It was announced last month that the transport company must make significant cuts. For example, trams, buses and metros could run less often starting in the summer. In 2024, less popular bus or tram lines that use the same stops could be canceled, and two metro lines may also be merged. Travelers would then have to transfer more frequently, and would need to account for longer travel times.

The plans are not yet final. The urban area's public transport organization, Vervoerregio Amsterdam, which officially contracts the GVB, will make a final decision about route changes and timetable reductions in mid-June.