Public transit fares to increase by around 4 percent next year

Bus, tram, and metro fares will probably increase by around 4 percent next year, NU.nl reported based on information from DOVA, the organization that represents the municipalities and provinces responsible for public transport. The increase is to help public transport companies cover higher costs.

According to DOVA, the costs for public transport companies will increase by an average of 3.68 percent this year, due to things like higher wages and inflation. The public transport companies will likely increase their fares by around that same percentage. The price increases also apply to train services by regional transport companies like Arriva and Keolis, but not NS.

Last year, public transport fares increased by 3.4 percent. Then, the companies faced even higher cost increases, but the government intervened to keep the fare hike limited. Whether that will happen again is unclear.

The Schoof I Cabinet is governing in a caretaker capacity after its collapse, meaning that it is limited in what actions it can take. The government is also facing other pressing matters that require money, such as an increase in defense spending, and has limited wiggle room in the budget.