1. The Netherlands and intermodality

The Netherlands is one of those nations that offers its inhabitants a wide range of efficient and accessible transport alternatives to the car. The Dutch are used to having easy access to frequent, multi-modal public transport services serving a large part of the country. They are also used to paying per use, and have a fairly good understanding of the real cost of public transport. Last but not least, they are very attached to their transport card, the OV-chipkaart (OV means public transport in Dutch), which enables them to use the available offers anywhere in the country with a simple contactless validation. In short, the Dutch and alternative transport are already off to a good start. And in this story, two modes are particularly highlighted by the government: bicycles and trains. Cycling means facilities and services. Trains mean operating requirements, and above all station management....