State Secretary Annet Bertram has warned that sales of the new discounted summer train subscription will stop if the scheme becomes too expensive. She told the House of Representatives that the allocated budget of 118 million euros must not be exceeded.
The subscription allows people to travel unlimitedly during off‑peak hours for 49 euros per month. The cabinet developed the plan at the request of parties including GroenLinks‑PvdA, following higher energy prices linked to the Iran war.
Bertram said it is still unclear how many people will buy the pass. “It is impossible to say yet how many people will make use of this product,” she wrote. “After all, it concerns a unique measure, something that has not been offered in the Netherlands before.” Although more passengers may travel by train in the summer, rail operators will keep to their planned timetable.
The pass will be available from 15 June, slightly earlier than previously announced. The government has now confirmed the name: Nederland Dal Vrij Trein.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
