The Mobility Alliance is emphatically involved in the debate, with an emphasis on the importance of mobility policy in the future coalition agreement.
This week shows a mix of business problems, political changes and social issues that concern society. The well-known bicycle brand from Amsterdam, VanMoof, is in trouble. After being declared bankrupt in the Netherlands, the company has sought bankruptcy protection in the US through Chapter 15 proceedings. This procedure gives foreign companies with US assets the chance to protect themselves against US creditors.
In Germany, VanMoof has also filed for bankruptcy and a temporary administrator has been appointed. Meanwhile, there is disagreement about potential takeover bids: a bid from micromobility.com has been declined, and British electric scooter brand Lavoie is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire VanMoof.
The upcoming elections in the Netherlands are all about change. There is a remarkable increase in the number female leaders, which may indicate a historic turning point in the political landscape. The Mobility Alliance is emphatically involved in the debate, with an emphasis on the importance of mobility policy in the future coalition agreement.
Cruises prove unrelenting when it comes to punctuality. An Italian couple missed their Mediterranean cruise because they were just too late. The incident underscores the cruise industry's tight schedules, where delays or changes can have huge financial implications.
The outgoing cabinet has plenty to worry about after the summer. With a warning from the CPB about growing poverty and an upcoming budget for 2024, the pressure feels enormous. The FNV advocates one raising the minimum wage to €16 per hour, as well as increases for various allowances.
Kiwa Register will temporarily not renew driver cards treated by a technical change, set by the ILT. This is to correctly reflect the five-year validity of the driver's licence. There are also concerns about the validity of driver cards for people on an apprenticeship trajectory.
Renting a vehicle abroad is not always easy for the Dutch. A recent incident at car rental company Sixt in Munich showed that a Dutch journalist had to present two credit cards from different companies to pay the deposit for a luxury vehicle. This raises questions about possible discrimination or a deeper mistrust of Dutch tenants. Furthermore, recent research by Bureau Beke has shown that rental vehicles are often used for criminal activities. This highlights the complexity and challenges of the motor vehicle rental industry in Europe.
The Mobility Alliance emphasizes the importance of mobility in political programmes. However, there are different interpretations of this call, with some seeing it as a push towards more sustainable means of transport. Yteke de Jong interprets the message of the alliance by stating that commuters should walk and cycle more. Yteke calls it "gnome socialism" and "patronising" of the united transport companies, some directors and chairmen of which are driven around in a car with a driver.
