Nurseries that used ‘Stint’ motorised wagons to transport children are entitled to compensation for infrastructure minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen’s decision to ban. the vehicles from the road.

The Council of State also ordered the ministry to compensate the manufacturer of the light vehicles, which were banned in the wake of a crash in September 2018 that caused the deaths of four children.

An investigation by the forensic institute NFI was unable to conclude why the Stint’s brakes failed at a level crossing, causing it to collide with an oncoming train. The wiring showed no signs of damage and the controls for the motor were working normally.

The court upheld a ruling by the district court for Noord-Nederland that said the ministry should not have licensed the vehicles for use on the roads in 2011 because they did not meet the required technical standards.

The minister was therefore liable for the damage caused by her decision to withdraw the electric wagons, which were commonly used to transport children on outings, following the accident in Oss.

Each of the 170 nurseries that used the Stints stands to receive €100,000, Emmeline Bijlsma of sector organisation Kinderopvang told Nieuwsuur. The manufacturer is also entitled to compensation but is effectively bankrupt.

The ruling only applies to the lighter Stints with an 800-watt electric motor. Heavier Stints were never approved for use on roads, but the court called on the ministry to discuss compensation because users were not aware of the distinction.