Eindhoven residents with limited funds can continue to use free public transport next year too. That was the outcome of a long consultation between the Municipality and the bus company, Hermes.
Last month it still seemed that the plug would be pulled on this low-income transportation scheme. The costs have been around EUR600,000 per year since 2014, but Hermes demanded EUR200,000 more to allow the free bus to run in 2019 as well.
The Municipality was not able to find the extra money at first. Councillor Richters has now been able to make the extra money available. Part of the poverty budget in Eindhoven has been left unused. That is now being used for the free bus for people with minimum income.
With this, the VVD, GroenLinks, PvdA, and CDA coalition is fulfilling its promise to maintain the free public transport for people with minimum income. This, despite the financial situation the city finds itself in. According to the coalition factions, free public transport ensures that poor inhabitants of Eindhoven can continue to participate in society. This can also prevent further isolation. Furthermore, the scheme is valued by the 10,000 Eindhoven residents who make use of it, according to a survey.
Those who earn 120% of the minimum social income are eligible for free public transport. People in this group will soon receive a letter from the Municipality about this.
Source: www.studio040.nl
Translated by: Chaitali Sengupta
Edited by: Melinda Walraven
