Our environment and how we operate within it

In this chapter, we describe the key trends and developments in 2025 that were relevant to NS. We discuss them based on various developments, from demographic and economic to technological and political. For our response to these developments, see the chapter entitled ’Our strategy’.

Shortage of space, pressure on rail transport and travel patterns

Good infrastructure is a prerequisite for good train travel. Unfortunately, the infrastructure is vulnerable in too many places. The result is many failures and therefore a major replacement task. Disruption due to necessary track works is increasing. At the same time, projects are being delayed due to nitrogen regulations or lack of staff to carry out the work. Meanwhile, the overall degree of congestion is also increasing year-on-year, particularly during the morning rush hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Government and public transport budgets remain under pressure. Previously announced cuts for the next two years have fortunately been reversed. But longer-term investments for rail or public transport are uncertain, which could have a negative impact on the quality of public transport in the Netherlands.

Last year saw another increase in the number of people going to the office, but mainly concentrated on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Research by the Dutch General Employers’ Association (AWVN) suggests that employers want more control over working from home. This mainly due to the need for greater social cohesion among employees, better information transfer and induction of new colleagues. At the same time, other research also shows that hybrid working leads to happier employees and a more productive Netherlands.

The housing challenge facing the Netherlands remains huge. September saw the publication of the Draft National Spatial Strategy, which sets out central government’s spatial planning decisions for 2030 and 2050. Large-scale housing construction is to take place in metropolitan centres and regional towns, resulting in growing urbanisation. These new residential areas also need to be accessible. This calls for smart design around public transport hubs.

A fast-moving public transport market

At national level, a number of carriers are making more and more requests for open access. Open access means that they utilise NS infrastructure to operate at their own expense and risk. NS is positive about open access in addition to the main rail network concession, as it benefits passengers. In 2025, carrier Arriva wanted to offer an open-access train service between Zwolle and Groningen. However, the carrier eventually decided against operating the service for the time being, as the government does not currently cover travel costs for students on open access trains. Arriva also operated a night train between Zwolle and Schiphol in 2025. A subsidy was agreed for that connection with the municipality of Almere and Lelystad. As NS believes that such a subsidy is incompatible with open access, NS has instituted legal proceedings against both municipalities. The aim is to clarify the rules around open access.

In September, a bill was passed that would allow provincial authorities to set up their own public transport companies, with full management and control over the offering. This can be applied to different forms of transport, such as buses, as well as regional train lines.

Another market in a constant state of flux is that of shared mobility. Companies are ceasing, expanding or making acquisitions, partly due to uncertain regulations and short contract terms. The overall range of shared transport options on offer decreased slightly (in 2024), despite growth in shared e-bikes. Shared transport facilities are concentrated in large cities and have been shown to reduce car ownership and use. Cycling is also becoming more popular due to investments in cycling infrastructure and urbanisation. Both developments improve connections to public transport hubs, making passengers more likely to opt for the train. Growth in the shared mobility market therefore also presents opportunities for NS.

People, safety and mental well-being

The ongoing labour market shortage remains a concern, including for NS. Although the number of jobseekers is currently roughly equal to the number of vacancies available, there is a persistent mismatch between supply and demand. Particularly in critical professions such as technical staff. The labour market shortage is expected to continue in the coming decades. Demand for practically trained personnel is growing, while the percentage of theoretically educated people in the labour force is increasing. NS is a major employer of secondary vocational education graduates. On top of this, many employees will retire over the next decade, which means that staffing will remain a considerable challenge.

In addition to labour market shortages, employee physical and mental well-being and related satisfaction and absenteeism are a growing concern. Occupational health and safety service provider 'De Arbodienst' has observed increased levels of absenteeism across the Netherlands due to mental overload. This is a result of increased pressure to perform, urgency and overstimulation. More and more people in the Netherlands are also concerned about the cost-of-living crisis and pressure on individualism. This social development affects us. It affects our passengers, our staff and the interaction between them.

The cost-of-living crisis remains a major issue in the Netherlands. Social and economic security is not just about current incomes. It is also about future prospects and non-financial aspects such as health, safety and social relations. So state the Netherlands Institute for Social Research/SCP, PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency and the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis in a recent study. A properly functioning and affordable public transport network ensures that people who do not have their own transport can still access work, education and healthcare. This provides benefits in a number of areas, including equal opportunities and social inclusion.

Several demonstrations last year caused disruption at stations and occasionally even disruption on the tracks. At the same time, the train also played an important role in transporting protesters to large peaceful demonstrations. This illustrates the vulnerability of the Dutch railway network, but also the importance of trains in keeping our society running. We need to place a stronger focus on the physical and digital security of the railway and passenger and employee safety on trains and at stations.

Finally, 2025 saw a major increase in geopolitical tensions, including war on our continent and a tariff dispute with the United States. This led to economic uncertainty, polarisation and concerns in society. We saw an increase in sabotage and cyber and hybrid attacks on infrastructure compared to previous years. Both in the Netherlands and in neighbouring countries. The growing threat is also leading to increased government interest in making the railways more resilient as well as suitable for military purposes. This could result in greater investment in rail infrastructure.

Climate, energy and grid congestion

Dutch greenhouse gas emissions are still decreasing, but the decline is levelling off. The train plays a crucial role in reducing CO₂ emissions. By opting for rail travel over using cars, we help to combat climate change. Robust rail infrastructure and affordable public transport are vital if we are to meet current demand and prepare for increased demand in the future.

Grid congestion also remains a major obstacle in the massive sustainability challenge facing the Netherlands. Businesses are not connected and housing construction is at a standstill. Grid congestion is a potential barrier to more intensive use of the Dutch rail network in the future. Possible solutions include large-scale storage and feed-in to the grid. The mobility sector is also already contributing to this. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) adopted a prioritisation framework in 2025, which determines how network operators allocate scarce transmission capacity on the power grid. Public transport was identified as a basic need that can therefore be given priority. Public transport companies (including NS), grid operators and the government reached an agreement last year to tackle grid congestion through financial support and innovative solutions.

Extreme weather such as prolonged heat, landslides and heavy rainfall is increasingly disrupting train traffic, particularly in our neighbouring countries. This underlines the need to speed up climate adaptation, such as making rail infrastructure and stations more resilient.

Technology and data as central drivers of future mobility

Advancing technological developments also play an important role in the labour market. According to the World Economic Forum, a third of jobs are expected to be automated by 2030. In addition, technology offers opportunities to mitigate the effects of labour market shortages. This underlines the need to look at work, and the future of work, differently. A focus on employee well-being and development plus the smart use of innovation and technology are essential if we are to meet the challenges of the labour market.

The self-driving car is not expected to make an appearance on public roads in the Netherlands any time soon. However, 2025 saw many promising trials of autonomous or remote-controlled vehicles. From self-driving buses in Groningen and taxis in Hamburg, to a taxi bot at Schiphol Airport and employee rental cars at the Port of Antwerp. These developments offer huge potential to improve efficiency and sustainability in operational and other processes. In the future, they may also be able to compete with trains.

Developments in generative and analytical AI are accelerating, with AI assuming an increasingly prominent role in general business operations due to wider deployability. The introduction of AI agents can make businesses more efficient and assist in the automation of a growing number of tasks. At the same time, there are warnings of an AI bubble due to massive investment and high valuations. Governments in Europe are struggling with ethical issues, privacy, dependence on China and the US and the need for regulations around AI. A downside is also that AI is increasingly being used for cyber-attacks. The associated social and other costs have skyrocketed in the past year. This is also a risk and additional cost for NS. Accessible and secure data management is therefore crucial. NS already uses AI in areas such as timetabling, rolling stock control, to predict levels of crowding, for camera surveillance and office work.