Some 8,500 train passengers demand refunds for overcrowding

Consumers' organization ConsumentenClaim is demanding that NS partially refund 8,500 passengers their travel costs due to inconvenience caused by overcrowded trains. "We believe that train passengers should be compensated at least 50 percent of their travel expenses as long as the problems with overcrowded trains are not resolved", Stef Smit, director of ConsumentenClaim, said to news wire ANP. According to the consumers' organization, NS knew in 2014 that there will be a problem with a shortage of trains between 2015 and 2016 and yet the transporter still did not take sufficient measures to cope with this shortage. The organization thinks that every traveler who experienced problems with overcrowded trains since September last year, when the problems started according to Smit, should be compensated. NS responded to ConsumentenClaim's demand, but did not address financial compensation. "We offer transport place, not seating, but are doing everything we can to offer as many travelers as possible as comfortable a trip as possible", the transporter said in a comment. "Basically, we are doing what we can. We'll therefore happily stay in conversation with ConsumentenClaim about the effort we put in, now and in the foreseeable future." Smit said to NU that if NS does not budge, they will turn to court. "Before we submit the claim to court, we are legally required to give NS one last chance to come out together. We have done that now and await their reaction."