Glossary

5-minute standard

European punctuality standard under which a train is only considered delayed if it arrives more than five minutes late.

A2-corridor

The rail corridor between Eindhoven and Amsterdam.

Focus routes

Routes with structural issues in punctuality, connections or smooth travel for specific passenger groups. On these routes, NS and ProRail make additional efforts to reduce delays and improve customer satisfaction.

Adjusted timetabel

A coordinated change to train operations when there is a risk of a vulnerable situation, for example due to snowfall, severe cold or a major thunderstorm front. An adjusted timetable creates additional capacity on the rail network. Fewer trains run, reducing the risk of rail traffic coming to a standstill.

Arrival punctuality

The extent to which trains’ actual arrival times match the timetable. In general, punctuality is an important measure of the quality of execution of the process planned in the timetable.

ATB-vv

Automatic Train Protection – Improved Version (ATB-vv) is a system that can also automatically stop trains at a signal passed at danger (SPAD/STS) when travelling at a speed below 40 km/h. The system is an addition to first-generation ATB (ATB-EG).

Minimum target

Minimum target for the performance level to be achieved each year for a performance indicator.

Service interruptions

A train-free period scheduled in the timetable for maintenance, renewal or repair works. During this time, the infrastructure is reserved for track works and not for train traffic. Service interruptions are arranged by ProRail in consultation with the operators.

Concession

An agreement under which a public authority outsources the full (or partial) operation of an economic activity to a third party, which bears the operating risk. The Dutch government awarded NS the operation of the main rail network for the periods 2015–2025 and 2025–2033.

Timetable

The planning of a transport service by time and location.

Sustainability tracker (Dossier Duurzaam)

Annual research used by NS to assess its sustainable image among consumers.

Energy-efficient

The aim of reducing the amount of energy required to deliver products or services. NS improves its energy efficiency by maximising the deployment of modern trains with lower energy consumption, such as the Sprinter Light Train (SLT), and by refurbishing older trains into more modern and energy-efficient rolling stock. Energy consumption is also reduced through Energy-efficient Driving (EZR) and Energy-efficient Stabling (EZO). We monitor this using the Energy Efficiency Index.

ERTMS

European Rail Traffic Management System. The new European train protection system that will eventually replace the ATB system.

E-ticket

An e-ticket or online ticket is an access or travel ticket ordered and delivered via the internet.

Flirt

The NS FLIRT is an electric multiple-unit train type operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS). The trainsets were built by Swiss train manufacturer Stadler Rail and are based on the company’s FLIRT 3 platform. The trains were initially intended to address rolling stock shortages and accommodate growth in passenger numbers on the main rail network. FLIRT (Flinker Leichter Innovativer Regionaltriebzug) is characterised by a light and spacious interior.

Main rail network

The rail network on which Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) holds the exclusive right to operate passenger trains.

HSL

The 125-kilometre high-speed railway line running from Schiphol to the Belgian border, with a branch line to Breda.

Boarding zone

A designated area indicated by blue signs where a train always stops. One sign marks the start of the boarding zone and another the end. By positioning this boarding zone differently at each station (at the front, middle or rear of the train), passengers can be distributed more evenly across the train.

Intercity

A passenger train that provides fast connections between locations and, in principle, stops only at the larger, major stations. Intercity trains are therefore well suited to longer-distance travel.

Impact analysis

By analysing and clarifying our impact in relation to the material topics, we can engage in dialogue with stakeholders and steer more effectively towards increasing our positive impact and reducing our negative impact.

Integrity portal

Platform to which NS employees can turn when they have questions about integrity, compliance or risks, of where they can report onwanted behaviour.

Capital expenditure

Capital expenditure here relates exclusively to the acquisition of tangible and intangible fixed assets and real estate objects after deduction of related subsidies and alienated tangible fixed assets and real estate objects.

Climate Neutral

This means that the net CO2 equivalent emissions of a journey by train or train replacement bus transport are ultimately zero. Any emissions are compensated through certificate mechanisms. Emissions from electricity production for trains are offset by the purchase of Guarantees of Origin (GOs) from European wind and solar farms. GOs link financial flows to sustainable energy production. For train replacement bus transport, our suppliers use renewable fuels for direct journeys when possible and compensate diesel journeys for NS with sustainable journeys for other clients in the same calendar year. Until 2020, it was assumed by CO2-emissiefactoren.nl that the CO2 emissions of biodiesel HVO100 (pure hydrogenated vegetable oil) were zero. However, since 2021, the conversion factor has been adjusted to include emissions of gases other than CO2. These other greenhouse gases are converted to their warming effect in CO2 equivalents. To compensate for these remaining smaller emissions, we have been using internationally recognised Gold Standard Verified Emission Reduction (VER) certificates since 2021 so that the total emissions of train replacement bus transport remain zero below the line.

Hub

Place where many roads, railways or modalities meet.

Long Term Railagenda

A major improvement in the rail system proved necessary to meet all these wishes and ambitions. The Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment therefore drew up the Long-Term Rail Agenda in 2012.

Level playing field

A fairness principle aimed at creating an environment in which different providers, based on their specific characteristics, can offer a competitive service offering on the basis of the same starting points.

Liberalisation

The removal by the government of restrictions on entry to the transport market, enabling competition.

Locov

In the National Public Transport Consumers’ Consultation (LOCOV), consumer organisations represent the interests of train passengers. They do so by consulting with and advising Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), ProRail and the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. The consumer organisations provide advice to NS, ProRail and the ministry.

Market organisation

The set of laws and regulations describing which companies may operate in the market and under what conditions. Good market organisation aims to structure markets so that they function optimally for society. This requires a balance between market forces and regulation.

Rolling stock withdrawal

Withdrawing rolling stock from service for maintenance or repair.

Materiality

A combination of the importance to stakeholders and the actual impact NS can have on the topic.

Environmental profit and loss account

A profit and loss account in which the ‘value’ of environmental impact on society has been quantified.

Nett debt

The private loans as mentioned in the financial statements, net of cash and cash equivalents (excluding security received in respect of energy contracts), money market funds and short-term deposits. The private loans as mentioned in the financial statements, net of cash and cash equivalents (excluding security received in respect of energy contracts), money market funds and short-term deposits.

NS Flex

A service that enables passengers to travel throughout public transport without stored value. Payment is made afterwards by direct debit.

Underlying result from operating activities

Result from operating activities adjusted for the effect of significant incidental items, special accounting items and special settlement items with previous years.

Operating income

Indicator of cash generation to cover costs such as capital expenditure (in the long term). The indicator is composed on the basis of the income statement and the cash flow statement in the financial statements and concerns the result from operating activities adjusted for non-cash items (depreciation, change in employee benefits, change in provisions, change in deferred income, result from investments recognised using the equity method and change in non-current liabilities not resulting in cash flows) and supplemented by relevant income and expenditure (interest paid, finance income received, income tax received/paid and redemption of lease obligations).

Public transport smart card

Payment method for public transport in the Netherlands. The public transport smart card is valid on trains, buses, trams and the metro.

Pre-mobility

If there is a concrete risk of redundancy for a group of employees or an individual employee, the pre-mobility phase starts based on a decision to be taken by the employer.

Punctuality

The extent to which trains’ actual departure and/or arrival times match the timetable. Punctuality is an important measure of the quality of execution of the process planned in the timetable.

Travel on account

A public transport payment method under which passengers pay afterwards, so they do not need to load credit onto their public transport smart card.

Km per passenger

Eenheid voor de afstand die een individuele reiziger met een bepaald vervoermiddel aflegt.

Punctuality for passengers

The passenger’s journey time, including all connections, compared to their journey plan (for example, issued travel advice). This is measured at 47 points.

Risk appetite

An organisation’s risk appetite expresses the nature and extent of the risks it is willing to take in achieving its business objectives.

Service Forum

The NS Service Forum is where customers can ask questions or share tips about travelling with NS. They can engage with other passengers there. The NS webcare team is also present to answer questions.

New Generation Sprinter

Working name for the third generation of NS Sprinter trains. These new trains have been available for passenger services since 2018.

Stakeholders

People or groups who are affected by our actions and whose actions influence our organisation and services.

Stakeholder dialogue

A stakeholder dialogue is an essential part of the sustainability report. In a stakeholder dialogue, all stakeholder groups are consulted about their influence. A stakeholder dialogue provides an organisation with insights into what is important to stakeholders. It helps determine the focus of accountability on social issues and also provides inspiration and input for further development of strategic sustainability policy.

Station Experience Monitor

A tool used to measure how passengers experience stations. Passengers at all railway stations in the Netherlands are surveyed about their ratings and experience of station (areas).

Target value

Target value for the performance level to be achieved for a performance indicator.

SPAD (signal passed at danger)

An undesired non-technical passing of a red signal (signal passed at danger; SPAD).

TechniekFabriek

NS Techniek's vocational school for train engineering, where students combine working and learning, resulting in a job.

Transparency Benchmark

• An instrument of the Ministry of Economic Affairs to promote corporate social reporting in the Netherlands. The Transparency Benchmark provides insight into how the largest Dutch companies report on their CSR activities.

TRR

TRR shows the number of physical accidents resulting in absence, including accidents where alternative work was possible, expressed as numbers per million hours worked

Transport capacity

The capacity of a train to transport a number of passengers.

WACC

The Weighted average cost of capital is the English name for the weighted average cost of a company's assets

Sickness absence

Sickness absence is the time a permanent employee is absent due to illness. Absence starts on the first day an employee would have been expected to work but is absent. Absence ends on the day the person has recovered, or after 730 days. Working a limited number of hours (not as part of occupational therapy) is not counted as absence but as light duties.

Seating capacity

The number of seats available on a train to transport passengers.

Seat availability

Standard in which passenger numbers are set against the number of available seats on the train.