NS: Fewer disruptions, more trains on time in first half of 2016

The first half of 2016 saw a decrease in train disruptions and an increase of on time trains for NS, the railway company announced with its half-year results on Friday, AD reports. During the first six months of this year 92.3 percent of train travelers arrived at their destination on time, an increase of 0.7 percent compared to the same period last year. There were also hardly any large disturbances with a nationwide effect. Though passengers who traveled abroad did experience disturbances from strikes in Belgium and Germany and bombings in Brussels. Last year the number of train disturbances increased by a fifth. The rail company managed a turnover of 2.573 billion euros during the first six months of this year, an increase of almost 9 percent compared to the same period last year. The increase can mainly be attributed to higher transport revenues, but income from the sale of property also played a roll. Finally NS invested 333 million euros in new equipment over the first half this year. The new NS Sprinters, which arrived in the Netherlands in the spring, will start operating in December. The Eurostar trains area also making test drives in the Netherlands, which will lead to a direct connection between Amsterdam and London.