Lessons in Sustainable Mobility: WeDriveU Joins ACT’s Netherlands Delegation

WeDriveU joins ACT’s international delegation to explore how smarter connections, sustainable choices, and collaboration can transform the way people move.

The Netherlands offers valuable lessons in how transportation systems can work together to make everyday journeys more connected, accessible, and sustainable. From October 19–23, 2026, the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) brought transportation professionals together for an international delegation exploring the country’s approach to mobility.

Representing WeDriveU was Dennis Laming, Strategic Development Manager. The trip was personal and professional for Dennis, who earned his Master’s degree in Transport Economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam. As one of our team’s strongest advocates for sustainable transit, Dennis brought invaluable context and enthusiasm to the delegation.

Proactive Mobility in Urban Development

One of the most important takeaways from the delegation was the close relationship between urban planning and mobility.

As Dennis observed:

“Urban planning and mobility are deeply connected: the way a city is built and laid out directly determines how people move, while the transport networks dictate how land is used and developed.”

That relationship creates an opportunity to shape transportation behaviors before they become routines. As Dennis explained:

“Introducing transportation options early, even before a new area is fully developed, gives people an alternative to the car from the start.”

For communities planning for growth, this means thinking beyond roads and infrastructure to consider how people will get to work, access essential services, and connect with the places that matter to them. By making transportation part of the planning process from day one, communities can create more opportunities for people to choose how they travel.

Mobility as a Connected Ecosystem

The delegation also reinforced the importance of viewing mobility as a connected ecosystem. Cycling infrastructure, public transit, urban planning, and employer-led commuter programs all work together to make sustainability a practical part of everyday life in the Netherlands.

The broader lesson: transportation works best when the organizations responsible for infrastructure, workplaces, services, and destinations plan together, with people at the center of every decision.

Five Days, Four Cities: Exploring Dutch Mobility

Over the course of the delegation, participants visited Utrecht, Delft, The Hague, and Amsterdam to see how the Netherlands puts these principles into practice.

Day 1, Utrecht: Corporate Engagement and Mobility as a Service

The week opened with Anders Reizen, a coalition advancing sustainable mobility among Dutch employers. Delegates met Director Gwen Jansen and representatives from Arriva Nederland and Sweco. A session on Mobility as a Service followed with PON Mobility on Demand, Shuttel, and Hely, then a guided canal cruise to set the stage for the week.

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Day 2, Utrecht: Cycling, Behavior Change, and Integrated Mobility

Melissa Bruntlett of Modacity Creative led a walking tour of Utrecht Centraal and the world’s largest bike parking facility. Dr. Joost de Kruijff of the Dutch Cycling Embassy shared how employer-led programs and behavioral incentives are reshaping the Dutch commute. In the afternoon, delegates joined Melissa for a bike tour, then heard from Mark Sloothaak of Dutch Railways (NS) on how NS engages employers.

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Day 3, Delft and The Hague: People Over Cars

Delegates biked around Delft Station, then had coffee and tea with Mobycon. A panel on housing, rail, and the employee commute featured Zuid-Holland Bereikbaar. A second bike tour covered infill development and multimodal street design. In The Hague, the National Transport Ministry presented Mobiliteitsvisie 2050, the country’s long-range mobility policy.

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Day 4, Amsterdam: Transit, Streets, and the Employer District

The day started at the redesigned Amsterdam Centraal hub. Delegates then met Mark Degenkamp of Vervoerregio Amsterdam about Samen Bouwen aan Bereikbaarheid, a plan to future-proof the region’s transport network through 2040. At Zuidas, often called the “Financial Mile,” Jelte van Koperen led a tour. The afternoon covered employee mobility needs with Populytics, UMC Amsterdam, and ABN AMRO.

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Day 5, Amsterdam: TDM and Major Events

The week closed at Johan Cruijff Arena, where Willem-Frederik Metzelaar of EIT Urban Mobility and arena partners discussed transit and biking connections to major destinations and world-class events. Delegates also heard about Stadium Cities, a new initiative connecting stadium districts across Europe.

Global Perspectives to the Future of Mobility

The delegation also brought together professionals from organizations including Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Meta, James Madison University, and the City of Richmond, alongside transportation and mobility specialists.

A Shared Vision for Sustainability

The trip reinforced that the future of mobility won’t be shaped by one organization, technology, or mode of transportation. It involves collaboration, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to putting people at the center of every decision.

As part of Mobico Group, a global transportation company operating large-scale transportation systems in 11 countries and serving more than one billion bus and rail passengers, WeDriveU benefits from the knowledge and experience of colleagues across international markets. Dennis Laming is a great example of this connection, bringing his international experience and understanding of sustainable mobility to conversations that help shape our business.

Through opportunities like ACT’s Netherlands Delegation, we can learn from how other countries approach transportation, share our own experiences, and bring fresh perspectives back to WeDriveU and the wider Mobico Group family. Sharing these insights across our global network helps us challenge existing approaches, identify new opportunities, and continue improving how we connect people with jobs, education, healthcare, and their communities.

Thank You

A sincere thank you to the Association for Commuter Transportation, especially David Straus, Casey Murphy and to every host and speaker who welcomed and enlightened us on global sustainability.

And thank you to Dennis Laming for representing WeDriveU with such curiosity and care, and for bringing these lessons back to our team and the communities we serve.

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