Mobility poverty

Guide to affordable sustainable mobility in Utrecht

Daniella Mires developed this mobility guide. Are you looking for a bike, or is a train ticket too expensive? Who knows, you might find the solution in this manual. Scan the QR code above and go on a journey of discovery. Do you have a question or tip? Daniella would be happy to talk to you in a community center in your neighborhood. Keep an eye on the agenda on duurzaamutrecht2030.nl or invite us via ineke@duurzaamutrecht2030.nl.

Mobility wishes AZC Joseph Haydnlaan and Oog in Al

On Wednesday evening June 26, 19:00-20:00 intern Daniella organized a brainstorm about sustainable and affordable mobility for asylum seekers, status holders and local residents in Oog en Al and surroundings, in A Beautiful Mess, in collaboration with De Voorkamer in Lombok. The program consisted of group discussions, completing the online survey, and presentation of the advisory report "Tackling mobility poverty in Utrecht." At the end we made agreements for follow-up steps. Read the report here.

Mobility wishes of residents

In 2022, we spoke to dozens of Utrecht residents about sustainable and affordable mobility. This small-scale survey showed that not everyone can make sufficient use of the existing range of sustainable transport (walking, cycling, (electric) shared bicycle or car, bus, tram, train).

From September 2023 to January 2024, environmental science students from HAS University of Applied Sciences investigated how supply and demand for sustainable mobility for people with limited means in the city of Utrecht can be better matched. On November 27, 2023, they discussed this with participants in the workshop Making sustainable living on a limited means possible in the Social Impact Factory on the Gracht, and on December 15, 2023, they presented their research to participants in the meeting in the Domkerk.

On February 16, 2024, the students published their advisory report "Tackling mobility poverty in Utrecht" on ZENODO.

In 2024, we will still ask for your answers to this survey about your mobility needs. We will also talk to you in various neighborhoods. We will announce the dates and locations in the agenda.

What does the municipality of Utrecht do?

On July 15, 2021, the Utrecht city council adopted the Mobility Plan 2040. Utrecht is growing in population, it is expected that by 2040 the population of Utrecht will have doubled compared to 2000. At the same time, Utrecht wants to continue to grow within the existing city. That is why Utrecht gives priority to making mobility in the city more sustainable.

The topic 'Mobility poverty' is on the agenda of the Mobility, Green and Public Space committee of the Municipal Council.

Sustainable and affordable mobility in Utrecht

In 2025, residents of the province of Utrecht with a low income will be able to travel with a 40% discount on public transport during off-peak hours, and seniors even with a 60% discount. The province of Utrecht makes this possible. In the cities of Utrecht and Amersfoort, people with a low income can even travel for free by bus or tram during off-peak hours. Read more about the province's campaign here, and about the contribution of the city of Utrecht here.

The government, province and municipalities in the Utrecht region are going to invest in Public Transport. From 21-29 November 2024, the municipality of Utrecht is organising five consultation hours where you can have your say. Read more about it here.

Backgrounds

The municipality of Utrecht has the ambition to be climate neutral and sustainable by 2030. To meet this challenge, the cooperation of all citizens according to their ability is needed. With various schemes, the municipality encourages people to make their home or car more sustainable. One in seven Utrecht households earns up to 125% of the social minimum. These people often already live sustainably, without a car or flying holidays, but they cannot always claim municipal support.

In Duurzaam Utrecht 2030 we ask people with a small budget how they want to live sustainably themselves, and develop matching innovative combinations of sustainable and affordable products, services and municipal regulations. Between September 2023 and January 2024, Environmental Science students from HAS University of Applied Sciences will be considering

This research question:

To what extent can people with a small budget participate in sustainable mobility? How can supply and demand be better aligned? Which product can be developed or better aligned to the target group? Map the supply of sustainable mobility in Utrecht and the surrounding area, in which the municipality and transport companies are important. And inventory the needs of people with a small budget by means of interviews or surveys.