Utrecht province fines transport companies millions for persistent problems on bus lines

The province of Utrecht will fine bus companies Transdev and Keolis for persistent problems on their bus lines, the province announced in response to questions from the Provincial Council. The subsidies these companies receive for providing public transport will be “several million euros lower,” the province said, NOS reports.

Transdev, which took over bus transport from Qbuzz in large parts of the province in December, will be fined at least €1.5 million. The fine amount will increase by €100,000 for every quarter that the problems persist.

According to the province, the transport company failed to realize its plans and promises. The new timetables caused major inconveniences for travellers, including canceled trips and delays, due to a shortage of buses and staff. Almost one in six buses is currently canceled.

Transdev announced that it was cutting its timetable from May in order to be more reliable.

Keolis, which took over bus traffic in the east and west of the province in December, has also “not been able to fully live up to its promises,” the province wrote. It is not yet known how high Keolis’s fine will be, but the maximum is €1.5 million. Keolis will also have to pay an additional €100,000 per quarter that the problems persist.

Keolis will also be running fewer buses to increase reliability, starting on Sunday.

A Transdev spokesperson told the broadcaster that it is justified for the province to hold the company to the agreements made, especially since the state of affairs is “substandard.” She added that fines will not help solve the problems. “Fines come on top of the damage and losses we are already suffering from a difficult start,” the spokesperson said. “Financially, but certainly also in terms of travelers’ trust. Ultimately, the traveler benefits from structural improvements, not from financial settlements.”