A look at 50PLUS' mobility policy reveals high ambitions but raises questions about the depth of their plans.
In the run-up to the elections, the demand for a coherent mobility policy casts a shadow over the discussions. While most parties have developed extensive plans, it appears 50PLUS to be remarkably quiet in this area. At a time when a balanced and detailed policy is crucial for restoring confidence in the government, this silence raises questions. Although the party emphasizes the need for togetherness and solidarity as the foundation of society, when it comes to mobility, details are scarce.
Public transport (OV) is regarded by many parties as an indispensable government task that forms the core of any mobility policy. 50PLUS is no exception. The party states that good and affordable public transport can reduce the use of cars, which contributes to achieving climate goals. However, in a landscape of increasing shared scooters, shared bicycles and taxi apps, a strategic vision seems to be missing. According to 50PLUS, this results in irresponsible proliferation, where people with physical complaints or a small budget often fall by the wayside.
In response, 50PLUS demands a new vision of the Public Transport of the future and proposes an investment of 500 million euros to implement this new strategic vision. In this plan, public transport safety is given high priority, with financial support even for loss-making lines. The party goes further than traditional forms of transport and proposes that the central government should also investigate the opportunities and risks of self-driving cars and integrate them into its vision.
A specific addition of 50PLUS is the proposal for free public transport for residents of their own municipality who are over 30 years old and have a minimum income. The party also advocates an off-peak card for this target group, which allows free travel outside rush hours.
In summary, 50PLUS seems solid some attention for mobility issues, but the offering may be less extensive than that of some competitors. The party focuses on safe and accessible Public Transport as a central point, but the detailed implementation of an overarching vision, including the modern challenges of self-driving cars and shared transport, remains somewhat in the background.
The 50Plus party focuses on the interests of the elderly, a large target group. Important themes include not cutting pensions, freezing rents and a higher minimum wage.
party leader
With Ellen Verkoelen as party leader, 50Plus hopes to get back into the House of Representatives. Ellen Verkoelen is nominated as party leader for the upcoming House of Representatives elections. The main board of 50PLUS unanimously follows the advice of the selection committee, which in turn also unanimously compiled the following list of candidates. This will be presented to the general membership meeting on Saturday, September 30. All 28 candidates have agreed.
The need to form a party for people over 50 has been increasingly felt in recent years. The older generation is often not treated seriously, sometimes condescendingly dismissed as underage. The government does not hesitate to put it at a financial disadvantage through disproportionately heavy interventions in incomes, and in the labor market the elderly are quickly dismissed as too expensive and not sufficiently productive.
