Rotterdam plans to end free public transport for all state pensioners from 1 January 2027, but residents on lower incomes will still qualify. An agreement with transport operators RET and EBS could allow around 20,000 older residents to continue travelling free of charge, although some details of the replacement scheme remain unresolved.
ROTTERDAM, 16 October 2026 - The municipality has reached an agreement with RET and EBS to preserve free public transport for pensioners whose income does not exceed 110% of the Dutch statutory social minimum. The agreement follows an earlier decision to discontinue free travel for all Rotterdam residents who have reached the Dutch state pension age, known as the AOW age.
Rotterdam's municipal executive informed the city council of the revised plans on Friday 16 October. The current scheme is scheduled to end on 1 January 2027, while the replacement could begin on 1 March. That leaves a possible two-month gap for which the municipality and transport operators are still seeking a solution.
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Who will still qualify for free public transport?
Under the proposed arrangement, residents must live in Rotterdam, have reached the AOW pension age and have an income of no more than 110% of the wettelijk sociaal minimum (WSM), the statutory social minimum. The municipality estimates that approximately 20,000 residents could qualify.
The intention is to preserve the existing travel conditions for this group. Currently, eligible pensioners can travel free on RET buses, trams and designated metro services from 09:00 on weekdays and throughout weekends and public holidays. The agreement also involves EBS, which operates bus services in areas including Rozenburg.
Pensioners whose incomes exceed the new threshold will lose their entitlement to free public transport once the existing scheme ends.
Why is Rotterdam changing the scheme?
According to the municipal executive, providing free public transport to every AOW-eligible resident has become too expensive. Rising transport fares and Rotterdam's ageing population are expected to almost double the cost of the programme in the coming years.
The municipality had previously intended to increase the AOW allowance available to lower-income pensioners through the Rotterdampas. Nearly €3 million had been earmarked for that measure. Instead, alderman Miriam Harika, responsible for employment, income and poverty reduction, will make this funding available to RET to help preserve free travel.
Mobility alderman Chantal Zeegers acknowledged that ending the universal scheme would be difficult for many pensioners. She said the municipality had continued searching for a way to protect residents with the lowest incomes and welcomed RET's cooperation in reaching an agreement.
Harika also emphasised the importance of affordable transport for social participation, including visiting family and friends, attending medical appointments and travelling to places such as Hoek van Holland.
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What happens between January and March 2027?
Although the existing scheme is scheduled to end on 1 January, the replacement may not be operational until 1 March 2027. The municipality, RET and EBS have yet to confirm how eligible residents will be able to continue travelling free during this interim period.
The final application procedure and implementation details have also not been announced. Rotterdam says it will contact AOW-eligible residents as soon as possible to explain the changes and provide further information once the arrangements have been finalised.
Residents will also receive information about alternative transport options, including local neighbourhood buses and transport provided through the Dutch Social Support Act (Wmo).
Separately, the municipality is considering whether informal carers should be able to choose between public transport credit and financial assistance with parking costs.
For now, the existing free travel arrangement remains in place. Pensioners can consult RotterdamStyle's guide to free public transport for children and AOW residents for the current rules, while updates about the proposed changes are available on the Municipality of Rotterdam's website.
