Our value to society

NS is a social enterprise. Both of and for the Netherlands. We have played a crucial role in connecting people for almost 200 years. But we are not just a transport company: we are part of the solution to a number of challenges facing the Netherlands.

Take accessibility. All those cars on congested roads, some of which are making their way individually to the same destination. The Netherlands suffers from high levels of traffic congestion, which is no longer confined to the areas around its major cities. Parking has also become a time-consuming and frustrating process. The train is more space-efficient and can alleviate the pressure on the roads and parking facilities. Our stations and the immediate surrounding area, referred to as the railway zones, are also lively locations that attract businesses and schools.

Another aspect is housing construction: large numbers of new homes are needed and sustainable access to new residential areas is essential. Building in the vicinity of a railway station combined with excellent public transport links is the logical choice. Nobody wants to see more cars at a standstill on the roads. NS provides this necessary sustainable accessibility.

So when societal challenges arise in this area, we are quick to join in the conversation. Whether at central or regional level, we are happy to engage with our stakeholders to explore where we can contribute. For example, we are working with the province of Limburg as part of the Limburg Central housing project, which involves building additional housing around the Limburg intercity stations.

When it comes to sustainability and the energy transition, the Netherlands can also count on us. Our trains run solely on wind and solar energy, helping to reduce CO₂ emissions. Choosing to travel with NS means choosing to help us ensure a viable future for the world.

Although the train is one of the oldest modes of transport, we believe that NS’s glory days lie ahead of us. Sustainable mobility - which includes public transport and, within this, trains - has a very important role to play in keeping the Netherlands sustainably accessible. Crowded inner cities, a changing climate and the accessibility of hundreds of thousands of new homes: rail travel is part of the solution to many problems in the Netherlands. We are proud to play this role.

Futureproofing Ratio

Evidence that NS is more than a normal enterprise can also be found in the Futureproofing Ratio: a way of looking at a company from the perspective of social value. This calculation method was developed by researchers from Erasmus University, Nyenrode Business University and consultancy firm ftrprf.

They use it to assess companies based not only on their financial value, but also their social and environmental value. Their calculations show that in 2024, no listed company they assessed scored higher than 5. Last year, they also calculated NS's Futureproofing Ratio.

The financial value of NS was estimated at €6.4 billion. According to the researchers, NS has a social value of €72.8 billion and a Futureproofing Ratio of 11. This high figure for NS's social value is mainly due to its contribution to social inclusion and quality of life for many people in the Netherlands. NS takes people to work and school, enabling them to take part in society. A lot of value is also assigned to NS because many passengers can spend their travel time usefully; the public transport bicycle also scores highly. NS places a strong focus on sustainability and its emissions have a relatively low negative impact. The report on the Futureproofing Ratio can be found here (new window).

Visible and invisible

We therefore add value to society in various ways, some of which are directly visible and noticeable to our passengers during their daily journey, and others in which the service we provide to society indirectly benefits society as a whole. We have a big social heart and we devote it to society as a whole