Mobility is responsible for a large part of this university’s CO2 emissions. This is why Erasmus University Rotterdam works hard to make the mobility of her employees and students more sustainable. EUR encourages employees and students, by means of a sustainable mobility policy, to make conscious, informed and preferably sustainable transportation choices, such as public transport and bicycle.
Sustainable travel policy
Mobility accounts for a large part of the total CO2 footprint. Of all types of transport, business travel by plane, next to commuting, has the largest percentage of CO2 emissions in the EUR's footprint. The university takes a critical look at its own activities, behavior and applies CO2 compensation where possible.
To contribute to sustainable mobility and to prevent and reduce CO2 emissions, the Executive Board has adopted an adjusted travel policy for business trips as of 1 January 2022. In addition, EUR has signed the Rotterdam Climate Agreement. This makes the university a partner of the Climate Alliance for Sustainable Mobility, with a target of 50% less CO2 emissions from passenger transport in 2030 compared to 2016.
Travel policy for business trips
The basic principle of EUR travel policy is that travel is done in a sustainable and responsible way. That doesn't always mean the cheapest way. The sustainable travel policy concerns travel within Europe and long-distance business trips outside Europe and involves:
- One travel by train instead of the plane for business trips less than 700 kilometers and with a travel time up to 8 hours from Rotterdam Central.
- If the destination is further than 700 km or the journey takes longer than 8 hours, you have the ability to choose whereby travelling by train is preferred.
- If one opts for travelling by plane, then direct flights where possible, unless the price difference is too large (1.5 x ticket price) and where compensation of CO2 emissions is always chosen.
Encouraging sustainable commuting
In 2022 and 2023, EUR revised the sustainable mobility scheme for employees, extending the public transport and bike scheme while also increasing parking fees. This updated mobility plan contributes to EUR’s sustainability ambitions aimed at reducing the university’s carbon footprint.
- EUR employees who travel to work by public transport get several benefits. First, for the year 2023 and beyond, there is no longer a maximum amount of €250 per month for the public transport scheme. Secondly, from 1 September 2023 on weekdays, they can also use their NS Business Card for business trips with the OV bicycle, and to park their own bike at the station free of charge.
- In 2023, EUR's bicycle scheme was also expanded. The bicycle scheme means that if employees buy a bicycle, e-bike or electric scooter that they use for (part of) their commute, EUR will reimburse half of the purchase price up to a set maximum. In the past, this scheme only applied to employees that had been employed for more than a year, but from 1 September 2023, all employees can claim reimbursement immediately after the probationary period.
- From 1 January 2024, the parking day rate for employees increased by 50 cents. The free parking days for employees no longer exist.
You can find more information on MyEUR.
The following measures and opportunities are currently in place to make sustainable commuting attractive:
- Electric vehicle charging points in the bicycle shed for e-bike or e-scooter;
- Bicycle repair shop: there is a bicycle repair shop on campus where students and employees can go for repairs and maintenance or purchase an (e-)bike;
- An attractive Bicycle Reimbursement Scheme: under certain conditions, employees can receive a contribution for the purchase of a bicycle, e-bike or e-scooter once every five years;
- There are several stands on campus for electric shared scooters, you can find them on the campus map;
- There are three public bike pumps available on Woudestein campus: at the tennis courts, on the Plaza near Langeveld Building and on the Plaza near Hatta Building.
- An attractive public transport scheme.
- A public transport charging point on campus.
- The campus is easily accessible by metro, tram or bus
- 22 electric charging points for electric cars in our Plaza Parking.
- Paid parking, current rates can be found here.
Podcast on sustainability
Listen to the podcast episode of Erasmus Works! on sustainable mobility policy on Spotify or Apple Podcast.
"By extending the reimbursement schemes, we are making the choice for cycling and public transport more attractive. This benefits the environment, the city and the health of our employees."
Ellen van Schoten
Vice Chair of the Executive Board
