The NEA index for 2025 has been set at 1,5%.
This percentage is an important benchmark for the cost development in the taxi sector and healthcare transport. This indexation also includes the previously agreed wage increase of 5% as of 1 January 2025, which is part of the collective labour agreement Healthcare Transport and Taxi. The difference between this 5% wage increase and the 1,5% NEA index is largely explained by a correction for the year 2024.
When calculating the NEA index for 2025, the unexpected drop in fuel, gas and electricity prices in 2024 was taken into account. Last year, when determining the index for 2024, a sharp increase in these energy costs was still assumed. However, instead of the expected increase, the price of fuels and electricity actually fell during the year.
downward adjustment
In addition, a forecast was made for an average wage increase for the second half of 2024 that turned out to be higher than was ultimately the case. When drawing up the NEA index for 2024, a wage increase was assumed, but because there was no collective labor agreement at that time, an estimate of a higher wage increase was used. In the end, the actual wage increase turned out to be only 4%, lower than expected.
Due to these lower wage costs and falling energy costs in 2024, a correction has been made to the indexation for 2025, resulting in a downward adjustment of 2,8%. This means that although a wage increase of 2025% has been agreed for 5, the total cost development as calculated in the NEA index amounts to only 1,5%.
The NEA index, calculated by research agency Panteia on behalf of the Social Fund for Mobility, is based on various fixed parameters, such as the wage costs within the collective labor agreement for Healthcare Transport and Taxi and forecasts from the Central Planning Bureau (CPB). However, it should be noted that certain future cost developments that are still uncertain, such as possible cost increases due to increasing traffic congestion, have not been included in the estimate. Nor have cost increases due to other uncertain factors been taken into account. The final cost picture may therefore differ per taxi company, depending on their specific cost structure.
a prognostic
For 2025, Panteia predicts another increase in taxi transport costs. The Central Planning Bureau (CPB) has included an expected wage increase of 5% in the forecasts for the new year, with a slight increase in social security contributions of 0,1%. This means that wage costs, including social security contributions, are expected to increase by 5,1%. This is a significant increase that taxi companies must include in their pricing.
Fixed costs, such as interest and depreciation, are also expected to continue to rise. Interest costs are estimated to increase by 25,2%, while insurance costs will increase by 4,5%. Storage costs will also increase by 3,2%, in line with general inflation expectations.
fuel
For variable costs, such as fuel and maintenance, Panteia expects a moderate increase. Energy costs, which include electricity and diesel, are expected to fall by 3,2% in 2025. Tyre costs are expected to rise by 3,2%, while maintenance and repair costs will increase by 4,2%. These increases are based on forecasts of producer prices and labour costs in the maintenance sector.
Commissioned by Sociaal Fonds Mobiliteit, Panteia has made an overview of the latest average cost developments for taxi transport. The cost developments per taxi company can therefore turn out differently.
For the taxi and healthcare transport sector, the NEA index is an important indicator to prepare for the cost increases of the coming year. The index is drawn up annually on the basis of detailed analyses of the cost development in the sector. This ensures that companies in this sector can adjust their rates accordingly and take into account wage increases and other cost factors such as fuel prices and tax measures.
The adjustment of the NEA index is not only important for entrepreneurs in the taxi and healthcare transport sector, but also has an impact on the rates charged to customers. For government agencies and institutions responsible for purchasing transport, such as municipalities responsible for pupil transport and Wmo transport, the indexation is an important instrument for applying realistic pricing. In addition, the 2,8% correction can also be a signal that the sector can operate more efficiently due to the decrease in energy and wage costs.
factors
The report from Panteia provides a comprehensive overview of the factors that have led to the current NEA indexation. Entrepreneurs in the sector are advised to read this report thoroughly, so that they can properly assess the financial impact on their business operations. Although the general cost development applies to the entire sector, it is possible that individual companies will face different cost patterns, for example due to differences in scale, operational efficiency and regional factors.
Despite the current stable forecasts, there will always be uncertainties in the future. Unexpected increases in fuel prices, changes in legislation or sudden changes in the demand for healthcare transport can still result in additional costs. This makes it very important for companies to remain flexible and to prepare themselves well for possible fluctuations in their cost structure.
