Utrecht launches free forest bus to help young people reduce stress through nature
A free “boshalte” forest stop shuttle service is starting in June 2026 in Utrecht, running every Sunday between Domplein in Utrecht and Landgoed Beerschoten in De Bilt, as organizers aim to reduce stress and depressive symptoms among young people by improving access to nature, AD reported.
The project, the first of its kind in the Netherlands, will run every Sunday in June with a free bus departing from Domplein in Utrecht to Landgoed Beerschoten in De Bilt, a nearby estate with extensive woodland. The initiative is designed to make access to green space easier for young people who struggle to seek out nature on their own.
The program is a collaboration between RAUM, a cultural meeting place in Utrecht, and We The City, a creative agency based in Amsterdam.
Mental health concerns among young people are driving the effort. According to organizers, nearly half of Dutch youth struggle with stress or loneliness, while about one-quarter of young people in Utrecht experience psychological complaints.
Jesse Jörg, who works with RAUM and We The City, said the numbers are striking and clearly show the scale of the issue. Jörg said, “The mental well-being of young people has been under pressure for years, and the waiting lists for support for mental health problems are growing rapidly. And although there is a lot of scientific evidence that nature is an effective medicine to reduce stress complaints, it is not possible for young people to consistently seek out green space.”
Jörg cited research from Leiden University and the World Health Organization showing that nature supports mental health, including findings that as little as 15 minutes per day in natural surroundings can measurably reduce stress, depression, and anxiety.
