Provincial expenditure on public transport doubled since 2005

In 2011, the provincial budget for public transport amounts to 944 million euro, nearly twice as much as in 2005. In the province of North Brabant, the budget for 2011 is more than four times as high as in 2005; in the province of Zeeland the budget was slightly lower.

Public transport expenditure

Per capita investment on public transport 85 euro in North Brabant

The average provincial budget for public transport was nearly 57 euro per capita in 2011. The province of South Holland will spend 35 euro per resident on public transport, whilst North Brabant has budgeted more than 85 euro per capita. In recent years, North Brabant has invested heavily in public transport infrastructure, for example in the transferia I-park in Eindhoven and Willemspoort in Den Bosch. Provincial authorities also are building park and ride (P+R) areas in the vicinity of railway stations.

Provincial budget public transport, 2011

More money spent on road network

Improving regional accessibility is one of the main objectives of provincial authorities. Provincial authorities have earmarked more than 2.3 billion euro in 2011 to improve accessibility. Over 40 percent will be spend on public transport, more than 50 percent on rural infrastructure and 7 percent on inland waterways and ferry connections. Provinces support public transport by subsidising bus services and regional rail connections. Public transport expenditure also includes improvement of infrastructure and accessibility of railway stations and bus stop shelters.

Provincial budget traffic and transport, 2011

Intermunicipal corporations

Provincial authorities are not uniquely responsible for regional public transport; 18 public transport authorities are responsible for urban and regional transport in the Netherlands. Together, they spent more than 1.8 billion euro in 2009. Provinces spent more than 700 million euro on regional transport in 2009.

In the provinces of North Holland, South Holland and Utrecht in particular, intermunicipal corporations are responsible for public transport in and around the big cities. The financial contribution of provinces is limited. For North Holland, the year 2011 is an exception, because provincial authorities in North Holland have budgeted 75 million euro this year for a public transport tunnel in the Zuidas area in Amsterdam.

Arlen Hoebergen