Train ticket doesn't guarantee a seat, court rules

The purchase of a train ticket does not entitle you to a seat, the court in Utrecht ruled in a lawsuit filed by ConsumentenClaim against Dutch rail company NS. According to the court, a ticket only entitles you to transport. "That result is also achieved. The way in which the transport takes place is not determined by law", the judge said, NOS reports.

Consumers' organization ConsumentenClaim demanded compensation from NS on behalf of a group of train passengers. According to the organization, people have to stand in "overcrowded trains" every day due to a shortage in trains.

ConsumentenClaim called the court's ruling disappointing. But added that because of this claim and the accompanying media attention, NS has started making many improvements for travelers. "With that, the travelers have partially won", director Stef Smit said, according to NOS. 

In a reaction to the ruling, NS said that the Netherlands is getting increasingly crowded and standing in the train during rush hour is part of that.