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You are here: Home News Dutch News Amsterdam seeks bilingual public transport system
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26/05/2009Amsterdam seeks bilingual public transport system

Public transport information and announcements should be provided in both Dutch and English, says the city’s economic affairs alderman.

Amsterdam – An Amsterdam alderman is seeking public transport information to be provided in both Dutch and English so as to provide better service to tourists, reports ANP.

The city’s economic affairs alderman, Lodewijk Asscher, will present his plans for bilingual transport announcements to the city council this week.

Asscher said bilingual announcements are needed on trams, buses and metros to provide a better service to the city's foreign visitors.

He would also like to see an improved English language service on the 20-minute train route between Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport and the city centre.

The council is currently negotiating with the airport and Dutch Railways to provide bilingual announcements and distribute an English language guide to the city's entire public transport network.

Radio Netherlands / Expatica


3 reactions to this article

Anand Buddhdev posted: 2009-05-26 14:10:39

This is a very good idea. I've often seen tourists struggle to understand what is being said in the trains and trams. This idea should definitely be given more focus.

alze posted: 2009-05-26 14:55:04

I found it very hard getting back home after going to the coffee shops in Amsterdam - having english announcements will really help make sure about geting home and not getting on the ICE to Koln will happen again

terry posted: 2009-05-31 12:40:52

why are the dutch only doing it because of money, i lived here for 2 years, and they are backward and/or ignorant to providing everything in other languages, that goes for the government/utilities, which passes through to the people, i left with substantial money to spend in foreign language friendly countries, wake up instead of going backwards, and suffering financially and culturally, you used to be forward thinking.....???

3 reactions to this article

Anand Buddhdev posted: 2009-05-26 14:10:39

This is a very good idea. I've often seen tourists struggle to understand what is being said in the trains and trams. This idea should definitely be given more focus.

alze posted: 2009-05-26 14:55:04

I found it very hard getting back home after going to the coffee shops in Amsterdam - having english announcements will really help make sure about geting home and not getting on the ICE to Koln will happen again

terry posted: 2009-05-31 12:40:52

why are the dutch only doing it because of money, i lived here for 2 years, and they are backward and/or ignorant to providing everything in other languages, that goes for the government/utilities, which passes through to the people, i left with substantial money to spend in foreign language friendly countries, wake up instead of going backwards, and suffering financially and culturally, you used to be forward thinking.....???

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