Every year, people in the Netherlands travel 25 billion kilometres by train, tram, bus and metro. Public transport fares have increased in recent years. The Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis (KiM) concluded in 2024 that 10% of adults in the Netherlands had difficulty paying for transport. Research by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), however, indicates that access to public services, school and work has been deteriorating. The Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) is responsible for public transport policy and for granting the concession for the main rail network operated by NS. In recent years, the minister has invested an additional €300 million annually in regional public transport, including in buses and trams. In 2025, he made a one-off investment of €42 million to mitigate increases in NS rail fares.
What are we auditing?
The Netherlands Court of Audit is examining the accessibility and affordability of public transport. We are providing an insight into the state’s spending on public transport and examining the minister’s focus on improving accessibility and affordability, especially for those in the greatest need, for example because they have difficulty paying for public transport or take too long to get to school or work.
Why are we carrying out this audit?
In Levelling up Accessibility, the government wrote in 2025 that everyone in the Netherlands should be able to access important services such as care and education at an affordable price and within an acceptable time. Affordability and accessibility, however, are under pressure. This audit will add to our understanding of the accessibility and affordability of public transport. It will allow us to better understand the extent to which investments are channelled to the most urgent problems.
Current status
Accessibility and affordability of public transport
Information the Court of Audit collects in the performance of its statutory tasks is confidential and not made public. Information shared between the Court of Audit and the auditee concerning the information it collects is not made public either and cannot be released under a freedom of information request.
Do you want to take part in this audit?
The Court of Audit invites you to share any information you may have that would benefit our audit. We appreciate all contributions, knowledge and experiences you may care to share with us on this topic. Simply send an email to bijdrage@rekenkamer.nl.
We read all emails carefully and treat them in confidence. However, we are not able to reply to every contribution we receive.