Ministry wants to distribute operating licences for service stations via auction
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is working on a bill to distribute operating licences for refuelling, loading and shops at service stations through auctions from now on. From 6 March, stakeholders can comment on this.
A lot will change at service stations in the coming years, reports the central government. The number of electric cars is increasing and there is a need for more parking spaces for truck drivers. The government wants service stations to remain pleasant places and believes that direction is needed to better align facilities there.
Fair distribution
In that context, the Ministry of IenW is working on a new policy. An important part of this is the distribution of permits for refuelling, loading and shops at service stations. The ministry aims for a fair distribution, so that all entrepreneurs have equal opportunities to obtain a permit.
In the draft bill, permits for refuelling, loading and operating a shop will now be auctioned separately. The ministry expects this division to make individual services more attractive to a wider group of entrepreneurs. This could increase competition, potentially giving motorists and truck drivers more choice at competitive prices.
The bill is not yet clear on the number of licences granted per service area for the same facility. This is one of the issues on which stakeholders can express their views during the consultation.
In addition, the Consumer and Market Authority is issuing an opinion on competition at service stations. The implementing agencies Rijkswaterstaat and Rijksvastgoedbedrijf have been asked to assess the feasibility of the draft proposal. These opinions will be included in a subsequent version of the bill.
Comments on the draft bill can be made from 6 March to 17 April.
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