Well, it’s not exactly the good news we had hoped for. According to a Greenpeace study, Amsterdam has the third-worst public transportation system among thirty European capitals, just above London, which came in second-to-last. Dublin, Ireland, ranked last.
The study looked at ticket prices compared to other European capitals and how easy it is for public transit users to travel in these different cities. Greenpeace has long advocated for cheaper public transit and improvements in how these systems operate.
The organization believes that while public transportation is better for the environment, high costs deter people from using it. The study states: ‘
‘In the context of the climate, energy, and cost-of-living crises, the least polluting, healthiest, and most efficient modes of transport should be affordable for everyone.’
The organization would like the European Commission to make “climate tickets” available—“a single climate ticket for all of Europe.” These tickets would be affordable for everyone.
So why is Amsterdam so low on the list?
Photo: Rico Schwab, Unsplash
Well, Amsterdam scored only 46 out of 100 points in the ranking, compared to places like Tallinn in Estonia, which scored a perfect 100. The study states that:
‘The Netherlands has a simple ticketing system that allows you to buy a monthly or annual pass… However, the price is much higher than in most other countries with similar network passes.’
Although the study does acknowledge that many people in the Netherlands use bicycles as their primary mode of transportation, an annual pass in Amsterdam costs as much as €1,001. Discounts are available for students. Seniors and caregivers of people with disabilities can travel for free, but people with disabilities themselves cannot.
There are places in Europe where domestic public transportation is free, including Luxembourg and Malta. Furthermore, in some countries, such as Austria and Germany, there are inexpensive, nationwide passes that cost less than €3 per day.
You can read the full report here. At the top of the list were Tallinn (Estonia), Luxembourg (Luxembourg), and Valletta (Malta). The bottom three are Amsterdam, London (United Kingdom), and Dublin (Ireland).
