Fines will increase by 40% when using public transport without a ticket.
Starting today, passengers caught without a valid ticket on trains, buses, the metro, or trams in the Netherlands will face a significantly higher fine. The penalty for fare evasion has increased from 50 euros to 70 euros, a sharp increase of 40%. This strict measure officially came into effect on October 1st.
The decision to raise the fine came from the Dutch government, which clarified that stricter penalties are necessary to curb travel without tickets. The last time the fine was raised was in April 2016, meaning that passengers have not seen any change for about eight years.
According to the Dutch railway company (NS), fare evasion has become a growing problem, with the number of fines sharply increasing in recent years. In 2022, inspectors issued 180,949 fines, but by 2024 the number had nearly doubled to 353,063.
Authorities warn that the problem is still escalating. This year alone, NS expects to issue around 400,000 fines, the highest recorded number to date. Officials say the new fine aims to address this alarming rise in violations.
The message is clear to passengers: traveling without a ticket will now cost more than ever. With increased inspection campaigns in public transport, the government hopes that the new fine will be a strong deterrent against fare evasion across the country.