In praise of Holland
Page 39
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May I be allowed to take issue with one or two points of detail regarding buses and trams of the Netherlands mentioned in your article 'The Champion goes to Holland" (CM November)?
From the position in the article it might be assumed that the trams and buses referred to are of the Gemeentevervoerbedrijf Amsterdam (GvB Amsterdam; Municipal Transport Authority of Amsterdam). If this is so it should be pointed out that two types of tram operate in Amsterdam; three-section articulated cars and two-car driver/trailer trams, the articulated trams being more recent and of German manufacture. The articulated trams are, for all practical purposes, single units, albeit of high capacity.
Secondly, there are two types of "popular" tickets available to Amsterdamers. The f1.1.00 ticket, available only on the trams, valid for 45 minutes from cancellations, and having two journeys validity. (Two singles are not the same as a return). Those f1.1.00 tickets are not to be used for transferring from one tram or bus to another. There is a f1.3.50 ticket, obtainable from GVB offices and various agents throughout the city, which is valid for six journeys, with the additional facility of allowing transfer within the 54-minute period. Other tickets of a season ticket nature (abbounementen) are also available, either for the whole GvB system or individual routes. These are startlingly cheap but as they take about two weeks to issue in the first instance (a photograph of the holder being incorporated) the casual visitor is unlikely to come across them.
British Leyland certainly once had a strong position on the Dutch market. Increasingly, however, the indigenous OAF firm is taking hold. Indeed, were there a Dutch tram manufacturer doubtless the GvB would not be buying German trams.
The off-hand comment upon the Dutch bus driver's'ability should not be allowed to go unremarked. GvB Amsterdam spend eight weeks training a man to drive a bus and, in my experience, the general standard is as high if not higher than that pertaining to British psv men. (And 1 speak as a psv licence holder). Certainly, this contrasts favourably with the seven days the average psv trainee has in Britain, demonstrating, I feel, a far higher concern with good standards then exhibited in the UK.
None the less, an interesting article.
DUNCAN STEWART, Stoke-on-Trent.