Tram and bus fares are to rise by an average of 4.5% in 2009, junior transport minister Tineke Huizinga announced on Monday evening.

The rise this year was limited to 2.5% after pressure from MPs although transport companies had called for a 3.1% increase.
Public transport users’ lobby group Rover, which takes part in negotiations with the government on fare increases, says it has backed a 3.2% rise for 2009.
Although public transport in the Netherlands is run either by private firms or independent firms owned by local authorities, the central government sets ticket prices.