De Bij Bus
- Wassenaar, the Netherlands
The Bij-Bus is an advanced reservation shuttle service for elderly or disabled residents living within Wassenaar.
Service Provided
Volunteers and one paid driver operate a fleet of four buses, including one with wheelchair transport equipment, to form a shared shuttle service that adapts to the needs of elderly and disabled residents.
Intended Users
Residents of Wassenaar who are greater than 55 years old or are disabled –including wheelchair users, people with limited mobility, and people with visual impairments– are eligible to join the Bij-Bus membership.
Benefits
The Bij-Bus prevents social exclusion for elderly and disabled residents, enables travel with more freedom and independence, and provides access to critical services, including health facilities outside of the municipal boundaries.
Service Details
Buses run from 9am to 12pm and from 1pm to 5pm from Monday through Friday, in the evenings on Tuesday and Thursday, and only in the morning on Saturday.
Members can request a door-to-door trip to and from their home by the phone. Drivers assist members with entering and exiting the vehicles which have low steps and convenient handles for easy access.
Members are allowed to take unlimited number of trips within the municipality and up to 5km outside of the municipality for trips to the hospital or nursing homes.
Financial Details
Members pay a quarterly fee of €35 for an individual or €45 for a couple for unlimited use of the service. A small contribution is requested for trips outside of the municipal boundaries of Wassenaar.
Before the pandemic the service was cost neutral as these fees plus subsidies from the municipality and business donations covered the costs of the service. During the pandemic, membership and donations declined; in 2021, fees covered roughly 80% of total costs.
The service has one paid employee as the primary driver whose salary is covered by subsidies from the Municipality of Wassenaar and Maregroep, a regional workforce development organization. Private donations and local sponsors also help offset costs for maintenance and petrol; in 2015, donations covered 47% of costs however this has dropped since the pandemic.
De Bij Bus services display the logos of local sponsors for public visibility to attract more sponsors.
Jan Kees, Treasurer
"The regular users are very happy with the service: it allows them to see friends, go to the super market or go to the theatre.
De Bij Bus helps them connect socially and broadens their world.
In general, it is a community service."
Wassenaar, The Netherlands
About the Service Providers
The Bij-Bus is a non-profit foundation created by four local board members in 1984 and managed by Stichting Maatschappelijke Ondersteuning Wassenaar, SMOW, a local welfare association. The foundation is sustained by one paid driver and nearly 30 unpaid volunteer drivers.
Wassenaar is an affluent suburb of The Hague located along the coast of the North Sea with a population of 27,000.