Policy proposal aims to make public transport more affordable for internationals

PPE students Olga, Olivia, Marci and Liris surveyed 100 international students at UU. About 90 percent of them would be highly interested in a monthly discounted travel pass. On average, these students are willing to pay about 20 euros a month for a card valid within Utrecht and up to 35 for a card valid in the whole country.

These insights will be incorporated into a policy pitch that the four PPE students intend to present to the municipality. They want to bring this issue up in local politics and voice the need to make public transport more accessible.“We decided to take this issue into our own hands because, in the current political climate, it is nobody's issue. International students do not have a distinct voice in the policy-making process,” says Olga. “As an international student who has struggled with the Dutch public transport myself, it was nice to be involved with a project that may bring some change and help many of the people I know,” adds Olivia.

After talking to societal actors involved in the process, the group is finalising their proposal for a discounted travel card for international students. “While working on this project, I was very intrigued that many people, especially on a municipality level, were so accessible and willing to interact and listen to us,” concludes Olivia.

The group encourages other students to help them reach their goals by sending additional inputs, suggestions or contributions to o.i.szabo@students.uu.nl.