Every day, approximately 1,800 contractors, painters, plumbers, and other service technicians drive to Amsterdam's city center. They often lose significant time in traffic jams and searching for parking, sometimes incurring thousands of euros in parking costs.
Moreover, starting in 2025, certain polluting vans and trucks will no longer be allowed to enter the center. To address these challenges, a "Park + Switch" hub for emission-free transport was launched on the city's outskirts last year. But what are the results so far?
Amsterdam is not the only city facing such challenges. Across Europe, urban areas are under increasing pressure. "Currently, about 70-75% of the European population lives in cities," says Susanne Balm, an urban logistics expert at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS). "By 2050, this is expected to rise to over 80%. In many European cities, this leads to more noise and air pollution, traffic congestion, and high parking demand. To keep cities liveable, we need to rethink logistics and transport to reduce pressure on public space and emissions."
European Pilots with Mobility Hubs
One solution is the use of mobility and logistics hubs. As part of the European MoLo Hubs project, five cities are testing different types of hubs: Amsterdam, Aalborg (Denmark), Borås (Sweden), Hamburg (Germany), and Mechelen (Belgium). These hubs offer services such as parcel collection, shared transport options, and reusable material drop-offs. The goal is to make shared transport and logistics services more attractive, reducing traffic and emissions in urban areas.
Park + Switch in Amsterdam
The AUAS is supporting the Municipality of Amsterdam in its pilot project. The "Park + Switch" (P+S) hub, located in the Piet Hein garage on the edge of the current emission-free zone, is operated by Mobian and Mego Mobility. Here, service technicians can park their vans and transfer their tools and materials to an electric scooter, cargo bike, or Birò.
"The AUAS is studying the conditions under which entrepreneurs find the hub appealing and identifying the types of businesses that benefit most," says Balm. The first three users have been evaluated. What are their experiences?
1. Plumber on a Cargo Bike: Customer Savings
One user, Caspar from Lantwaard Klus Consultancy, used a cargo bike from the P+S hub for three weeks while renovating a bathroom in the western canal belt. By using the cargo bike five days a week, his customer saved €750 in parking costs, as the P+S subscription (€255 per month for a cargo bike) is much cheaper than city-center parking (€8 per hour).
However, Caspar's travel time increased by 20 minutes daily due to the switch. On days when he needed his van for heavy or large materials, an additional 30 minutes was required. He did not pass on the extra travel time to his customer. "If the customer were to reimburse the plumber for the extra travel time, both parties would benefit."
2. Contractor on a Scooter: Storage Challenges
For contractor AG Allround, who carried out a major home renovation in the city center, the P+S hub was less effective. Without on-site storage, he had to transport materials daily using his van, resulting in extra trips to the hub and significant time loss. Unpredictable job requirements also meant frequent trips to the wholesaler, requiring him to retrieve his van from the hub.
Ultimately, he reverted to parking near the customer's location, incurring over €5,000 in parking costs and exemptions over three months. This was significantly higher than the P+S scooter subscription (€490 per month for five days a week). "However, the job would have taken an extra week otherwise, which would have been even more expensive," says Balm. The contractor sees potential in the hub but emphasizes the need for on-site storage. AUAS analysis confirms that with storage, P+S could reduce costs compared to traditional methods.
3. BAM: Many Stops and Local Storage = Big Savings
For BAM Energy & Water, the hub proved highly effective. This division of the BAM Group replaces gas and electricity meters, requiring many short stops daily with minimal tools and materials.
"Previously, technicians drove vans from address to address," says Balm. "In the city center, it takes an average of 20 minutes to find parking and walk back and forth to the customer."
With P+S, technicians transfer their tools to a cargo bike, scooter, or Birò and use a local storage container for new and old meters. This saves significant time. "A technician can now complete 16-18 meter replacements per day with a cargo bike, compared to just 10 or fewer with a van." AUAS analysis shows that the P+S approach reduces project duration by 40% and costs by 40-75% compared to using a van.
Who Benefits from the Hub?
The P+S hub is particularly effective for predictable work with many stops in close proximity and limited materials. For less predictable jobs, such as renovations, the hub becomes more viable if on-site storage is available, as seen in BAM's case. Additional services, such as deliveries from wholesalers, could also enhance its appeal.
"The hub is not a one-size-fits-all solution," concludes Balm. "But for the right jobs, entrepreneurs, and with the right additional services, it can make a significant difference. During the pilot, we are adapting to user needs to optimize the concept and attract a broader audience."
Learn More
The MoLo Hubs project runs until the end of 2026. If successful, a series of permanent hubs may follow after mid-2026. Park + Switch is a collaboration between Mobian, Mego Mobility, the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, and the Municipality of Amsterdam. Interested? Visit https://www.parkswitch.nl/amsterdam.
Source: Amsterdam University of Applied Science