Provincial Executive Member Olthof experiences Virtual Public Transport at Heliomare

Provincial Executive Member Olthof experiences Virtual Public Transport at Heliomare

Traveling by public transport remains a challenge for many students in secondary special education. Provincial Executive Jeroen Olthof visited Heliomare College in Alkmaar and experienced Virtual Public Transport firsthand: how students learn to travel by bus and train in a safe VR environment.

Under the guidance of teacher Jesper Hubers, they practiced realistic situations, such as finding the right bus stop, checking in and out, and dealing with crowds. The students responded enthusiastically and said that VR helps them feel better prepared and more confident. One student proudly stated: "Now I travel independently by public transport to my grandfather's."

At the end, all participants – including Deputy Olthof, for the basic level – received a Virtual OV certificate.

Province makes Virtual Public Transport available free of charge

The province of North Holland is committed to accessible public transport for everyone and, in collaboration with Changefied, is offering free Virtual Public Transport to special education schools in North Holland North, Haarlem-IJmond, and the Gooi and Vechtstreek region. This includes VR headsets, software, and support.

Schools work with the program for a fixed period each school year, including training and teaching materials, so that students build skills without the stress of actual travel.

More independence and equal opportunities

Virtual OV was developed for students who need extra support in learning complex skills such as planning, dealing with unexpected situations, and following established routines. Through repeated practice in VR, actions become ingrained and confidence grows to repeat the same steps outside the virtual environment.

In this way, Virtual Public Transport contributes to greater independence, participation, and equal opportunities for young people in special education. At the same time, the curriculum aligns with learning objectives related to citizenship and self-reliance, allowing schools to work on both practical travel skills and broader social and cognitive development.