Case study Park+Ride in Amsterdam

The municipality of Amsterdam has developed a unique Park & Ride (P+R) concept, which enables visitors to park their cars at a P+R site at a favourable rate and then continue their journeys to the city centre by public transport. The only condition is that they actually continue their journeys to the city centre.

This means that the final check-in back to the car must be performed at a public transport stop in the city centre. The focus is therefore mainly on one target group of visitors: day trippers and tourists.

The project

Amsterdam has had Park & Ride (P+R) sites for a long time, but following the latest policy changes in 2011, the P+R concept in the capital is now truly unique and innovative. The pricing, the distinction between travelling and parking during and outside peak hours, is characteristic of this approach.

From 10 a.m. visitors pay €1 per 24 hours to park. Before that time the rate is €8 per 24 hour period. Visitors then travel by public transport to the city centre. To do this, travellers can either use their own public transport smart card or buy a P+R GVB (municipal transport company) ticket. Visitors can consult the web site to assess which option is more cost-effective for their situation.

Visitors only receive a discount on parking if they actually travel to the city centre. A check is made to ensure that passengers only receive the special P+R fare if the last check-in on their return journey was at a public transport stop in the city centre. These different rates have shifted the focus from all target groups to visitors to the centre of Amsterdam, in particular: day trippers and tourists. The P+R sites are currently less attractive for commuting.

For the new approach within the P+R concept, Amsterdam has purchased new vending machines for public transport tickets and for the city centre check. The P+R sites themselves were already available, so the new policy has not brought about any major changes there. P+R is financed by the urban mobility fund. More about the effects and costs of constructing and expanding P+R sites in general can be read in the Park + Ride fact sheet.

Implementation

The reason for deploying P+R sites was the pressure on parking in the city centre and the volume of traffic at peak times, such as Easter and Christmas. A P+R site can ensure that visitors do not drive to the city centre, but park outside it and then continue their journeys by public transport.

The aim of the project can be summarised with the slogan ‘Wel de mensen, niet de auto’s’ (Yes to people, no to cars) and can be broken down into the following sub-objectives:

  • fewer people parking in the centre, less space required
  • fewer journeys to the city centre
  • provide good parking options for people who need to travel by car

Various parties are involved in the construction of P+R sites in Amsterdam and the associated policy. In the field of public transport, for example, the municipality cooperates with GVB. In addition, various departments of the municipality of Amsterdam are involved, including area development, space and sustainability, traffic and public space (communication), the transport region of Amsterdam and the parking department. There is also partnership with car park operators, as not all P+R sites are on municipal land.

The P+R sites in Amsterdam complement the parking policy in the centre of Amsterdam and contribute to the creation of an attractive public space, the prevention of traffic jams and the improvement of air quality in the city.

Results

Every year, more than 1.3 million visitors use one of the P+R sites. That amounts to 500,000 cars being parked instead of driving to the city centre. If the cost of parking at the P+R were higher, some of these travellers would take the train for the entire journey. During peak times there are 3,000 cars parked at the P+R sites in Amsterdam. This is equal to the number of vehicles parked long-term on the streets in the city centre during peak times. The introduction of the centre check has ensured that improper use of P+R sites has been kept to a minimum. The number of frequent visitors (at least once a week) has therefore also decreased. On the other hand, the number of visits from tourists has increased.

Considerations for deployment elsewhere

In principle, a P+R site can always function, but it is important to see which concept suits the municipality, which target groups intend to park at the P+R, and which are good locations. P+R can also be linked to temporary work or events by means of flexible deployment.

There are various points to be considered when implementing P+R policy:

  • P+R sites are not an objective in their own right. It is an accompanying mobility management measure. Constructing a site without taking care of parking in the city centre, or the centre’s accessibility, merely serves to increase the parking area.
  • Don’t compete with public transport. At times when P+R tariffs are low, it can be more attractive for people to simply travel to the P+R by car instead of making the entire journey by public transport. So beware of rock-bottom prices and continue to monitor P+R usage closely.
  • P+R sites in Amsterdam are highly appreciated, but users often do not know how parking works at a P+R and how they can subsequently use public transport. Users also have some uncertainties about the centre check. Good communication is essential.
  • Take a flexible approach to the concept of P+R sites. Use of P+R also depends on land prices, how busy certain locations are and the mobility network. Continue to monitor whether you wish to retain, expand or relocate the P+R sites as a result of developments in the mobility network.
  • It is essential to consider the implementation of centre checks, otherwise people outside the intended target groups will use the P+R sites. Clear communication has become more important in the new P+R approach. A great deal of information can be found on the Internet and at the P+R sites themselves, in various languages. For example, the municipality of Amsterdam’s website shows whether P+R sites are full or have spaces available. This allows people to check availability at the P+R online. These are examples of the attention paid to communication 'on the other side of the barrier'.