Survey shows Dutch public opposes mandatory off-peak travel

A majority of Dutch citizens oppose mandatory off-peak travel, according to a recent survey commissioned by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. Only 26 percent of respondents expressed support for such a measure, while approximately 40 percent were in favor of adjusting school schedules to avoid peak travel times.

The survey, which presented 15 potential measures to over 1,000 Dutch adults who reflect a cross-section of the population, focused primarily on transportation policies. While most ideas centered around travel, participants were also asked about initiatives such as mandatory second-hand products in stores and increased attention to the health of people living near industrial areas. The latter proposal received support from 62 percent of respondents.

One measure that gained significant support was a mandatory work-from-home reimbursement, with nearly half of respondents backing the idea as a way to reduce peak traffic congestion.

Another proposal that received 39 percent support involves restricting the use of city centers to only electric vans. This idea aligns with the government’s recently implemented emissions-free zones, which aim to phase out the most polluting commercial vehicles from a number of inner cities.

The mandatory off-peak travel measure would require large companies to ensure that employees avoid peak travel hours "wherever possible," applying to both public transportation and private vehicles. While the Dutch government is considering measures to distribute commuting throughout the day, making this requirement mandatory for workers has not yet become an official policy.