Local government and some 20 companies in the Amsterdam region have signed a pledge to spread their office hours, reducing rush hour commuting.

Amsterdam city council, Noord-Holland provincial council, law firm Loyens & Loeff, ABN Amro and the Schiphol Group have agreed to stagger work times and to encourage home working where possible. Together, the signatories have almost 39,000 employees between them.

Research suggests that many people will continue to want to work up to three days a week at home once the pandemic is over.

Earlier this summer, universities and colleges also agreed to hold lectures over a wider period of time to reduce the need for students to travel all at once.