Municipal elections 2026: a stronger mandate for public transport investment
This article originally appeared on 26 June 2025 in OV-Magazine.
The Dutch municipal elections of March 2026 may still seem far off, but the coming months are crucial for advocates to plant the seeds of influence. Many local political parties, especially those also active nationally, are currently drafting their election programs. From timetables to bus stops, from bike parking to area development: public transport often features in these plans. Failing to join the conversation about these manifestos now means losing influence.
Public transport policy often receives limited attention due to the complexity of decision-making. Large-scale investments are decided at the national level, and concessions generally fall under regional or metropolitan jurisdiction. As a result, local governments may seem to have limited influence. But nothing could be further from the truth: many aldermen emerge as fervent lobbyists, working tirelessly to attract investment to their municipalities or regions.
Lobbying for infrastructure investment requires perseverance and commitment across multiple administrative terms. Many aldermen can attest to this. I frequently appear alongside Alderman Ruigrok of Haarlemmermeer, who has tirelessly lobbied for years to extend the North/South metro line.
The proposed cut to the Broad Targeted Transport Fund (BDU) highlighted how undervalued the public transport sector is in political The Hague. A complicating factor is that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management generally holds a weaker position compared to the Ministry of Finance. Because the public transport portfolio falls under a state secretary, the sector is effectively not represented in the Council of Ministers. This disproportionately affects urban and regional operators. Substantial lobbying is therefore needed just to reverse a proposed cut—let alone to achieve new investments.
Why should the public transport sector speak up now?
Major investments in public transport require the commitment of local leaders. Many of them don’t yet know they’ll be in office next year. When election manifestos advocate not only for an extra bus stop but also for structural investment in regional infrastructure, it gives aldermen a stronger mandate to lobby the national government.
In an era of political polarization, it is an advantage that investment in regional infrastructure is often a shared interest across political lines within municipal councils. The effectiveness of lobbying aldermen is often underestimated.
What makes local officials particularly effective in lobbying members of parliament is that they are often speaking with someone who shares their background. Most MPs have served on a municipal council or as an alderman themselves. Even when political colors differ, they share similar experiences and understand the dynamics of local governance. This often creates a solid basis for collaboration from the very first conversation—especially when both are from the same region.
The coming months are not only crucial for shaping election manifestos but also for finalizing candidate lists. Both will be determined in the final quarter of this year. The actual campaign will begin in February.
A strong public transport lobby in the run-up to the municipal elections is not just about content – it’s also about people. The complexity of public transport governance makes it even more important that candidates are well informed—about the division of responsibilities between municipalities, transport regions, provinces, and the national government.
I hope public transport will take a more prominent place in the 2026 elections. The enormous housing challenge facing the Netherlands is unattainable without substantial infrastructure investment. Cost-benefit analyses show that every euro invested in public transport generates an average of €1.33 in social value. Public transport increases property value around stations, attracts businesses, shortens travel time, and enables large-scale events without additional traffic or parking pressure.
Good public transport connects people and regions and strengthens the economic potential of the Netherlands. Fast connections ensure more people have access to work and education within a reasonable travel time. This reduces friction in the labor market, fosters knowledge sharing, and boosts productivity.
For roughly 2 million carless households, public transport is essential – especially for the elderly, young people, people with disabilities, or those with low incomes. The public transport sector has every reason to keep this message on the political agenda—especially in times of high inflation and rising costs.
"A strong public transport lobby in the run-up to the municipal elections is not just about content - it is also about people."
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