Friday, 18 December 2015 - 10:07
Watchdog: No NS price hike during “failed” handling of overcrowded trains
Public transport watchdog Voor Beter OV is calling on Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem to not allow NS a price increase for next year because the company failed in dealing with the overcrowded trains problem this year.
"An accumulation of erroneous policy has led to an increasingly serious material shortage. This is causing major inconvenience to travelers. They are often transported like herrings in a barrel, and are even left behind on the platform multiple times because of insufficient capacity. The traveler is therefore not getting the quality he may reasonably expect", the watchdog writes on its website. "A price hike is therefore not acceptable."
The watchdog sent a letter to the Finance Minister asking that he, in his capacity as shareholder, not allow NS a price increase for next year. Voor Beter OV first approached NS about the matter, but the company refused.