Cabinet Works on Structural Solution to Tackle Increased NS Ticket Prices
Amsterdam, 7 September 2024 – The Dutch government is actively seeking a structural solution to address the rising costs of NS train tickets, which have been a topic of concern among passengers. State Secretary Chris Jansen, responsible for Public Transport and Environment, is striving to find a way to cushion fare increases not just for 2025 but for subsequent years as well.
The NS train ticket prices have been a matter of debate following a planned 8.7 percent fare increase for 2025, on top of the regular inflation adjustment. This could potentially result in a more than 10 percent overall increase in the price of a rail ticket.
Jansen has expressed his preference for a one-off solution to avoid undesirable uncertainty for travelers about ticket prices in the coming years. In a letter to Parliament, he outlined several options for reducing ticket price increases, although no final decision has been made.
One of the options presented is for the government to allocate additional funds annually to bridge the gap that NS requires for higher ticket prices. This option is estimated to cost €124 million. However, the State Secretary did not specify where this money would be sourced from, as there is limited room in the mobility fund of his Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
Another option mentioned is the possibility of entering into agreements with NS to improve efficiency. However, Jansen notes that such agreements have already been in place and further far-reaching agreements could compromise ongoing operations, potentially leading to a poorer service for passengers or a reduction in service levels.
NS has faced financial difficulties in the first half of 2024, with a reported loss of 33 million euros. This is attributed to the structural decline in passenger numbers since the pandemic and the enduring impact of home office arrangements. NS officials have emphasized that while government support in the past was welcome, one-off support only delays fare increases.
Reporting from ANP and NL Times indicates that the search for a structural solution to the ticket price issue is ongoing, with the aim of providing a sustainable solution for both the government and NS train passengers.
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