A proposal backed by Bij1 and the SP to make public transport free for all Amsterdam residents was estimated by Amsterdam’s municipal executive to cost roughly €175 million to €250 million a year. The estimate was based on the transport operator’s current revenue from older and other paying passengers, while children up to 11 already travel free. About two-thirds of passengers live in Amsterdam, according to the municipal executive.

The municipal executive said demand would probably increase, requiring additional capacity that the operator could not provide, and argued that the policy could discourage walking and cycling. It advised other parties not to support the proposal. Amsterdam City Council is due to discuss it on 11 November.