Reactions from municipalities
A number of municipalities responded – sometimes in joint consultation – to questions from RTV Utrecht about the tender for student transport.
The municipality of Utrecht sees tendering as “a necessary evil”. “There is currently no alternative, but if there are innovative possibilities we will investigate them.” The municipality says that the assessment of parents or students is always included in the process.
Nieuwegein, Woerden and Vijfheerenlanden state: “Alternatives are always being considered. In the Netherlands, for example, there are municipalities where an internal transport service is being set up. A municipality can also tender for itself alone. However, these methods do not guarantee better quality. In the current tender, a term of four years and two possible extensions have been chosen.”
Utrechtse Heuvelrug and Wijk bij Duurstede: “As a municipality, we must adhere to tendering regulations. Given the current problems with student transport, the increase in requests for adapted (taxi) transport in recent years and the national shortage of drivers, municipalities are certainly looking at innovations.”
Tender 2024-2028
The 22 municipalities and the province of Utrecht completed the tender process for the Regional Taxi 2024-2028 in May. This also includes Wmo transport, public transport safety net and youth care transport.
For the regions of Utrecht City, Utrecht West and Lekstroom, Willemsen de Koning became the carrier. For South-East Utrecht and Eemland, it is Connexxion Taxi Services BV.
Problems
Other Utrecht municipalities, including Stichtse Vecht, Woerden and Vijfheerenlanden, are also currently experiencing problems with student transport. Buses are not arriving or arriving too late due to a lack of drivers, increased demand and a difficult tendering process. It also happens that children are dropped off at the wrong place or are on the road for far too long.