Rover advocates a strategic approach to break the negative spiral.
Rover is very concerned about the announced price increase at the Dutch Railways (NS) and fears that the train will become unaffordable for many travelers. This comes at a time when there are still fewer trains running than agreed. Rover calls on NS and politicians to take measures: “It is high time to stop the negative spiral and work on winning back travelers,” says Rover director Freek Bos.
The NS has announced that it will implement an additional inflation correction of 8,7% next year, on top of the regular price increase. This means that train tickets are expected to become more than 10% more expensive. Last year, a large price increase was prevented because the House of Representatives came to financial aid. However, this support is no longer available, so the bill is passed on to the traveler.
Rover is afraid that the higher prices will only increase will drive travelers away. “An attractive product ensures that travelers return to the NS. By continually raising prices, a negative spiral is set in motion,” Bos fears. He points out that the availability of public transport is essential for the accessibility of the country: “However, a train that is unaffordable for many can hardly be called public transport.”
In addition to the price increase, travelers will also be duped twice: next year there will still be fewer trains running on a number of routes than agreed in the contract between NS and the ministry. This is because the NS has still not managed to win back all the travelers from the pre-corona period. Travelers will therefore pay significantly more for a product that still does not meet the agreed quality requirements. “Price increases put too much pressure on affordability and are one of the most important concerns for travelers in public transport,” Bos warns.
Rover advocates a strategic approach to break the negative spiral. “Raising prices will only make the problems worse. What is needed is a focus on improving services and making train travel attractive,” says Bos. He emphasizes that well-functioning public transport is not only important for the individual traveler, but also for the economy and the environment. “If people switch to the car because the train is too expensive, this will lead to more traffic jams, more pollution and higher social costs.”
Travelers will therefore pay significantly more for a product that still does not meet the agreed quality requirements.
NS states that the price increases are necessary to absorb cost increases and maintain service levels. “We understand that this is an unpleasant message for travelers, but we must take these steps to guarantee the quality of our services,” said an NS spokesperson. The railway company emphasizes that they are working to improve the frequency and reliability of train services, despite the challenges they face.
Politics seems divided on the issue. Some parties argue for additional financial support to prevent further price increases, while other parties emphasize that the NS must use the available resources efficiently. “It is important that we find a balance between affordability and quality,” says an MP who wishes to remain anonymous.
The future of public transport in the Netherlands hangs in the balance. Rover continues to put pressure on the NS and politicians to ensure that the train remains an affordable and attractive option for all travelers. “We must act now to prevent public transport from becoming inaccessible to large groups of people,” Bos said.
