NS trains overrun with trash after carnival celebrations
Dutch rail operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) stated that trains were left in a state of chaos after carnival celebrations, with passengers leaving behind everything from empty beer cans and confetti to pizza boxes and vomit.
NS said it was “overwhelmed” by the amount of debris when cleaning crews began work early Saturday morning. Despite doubling the number of staff, the company said trains could not always be fully cleaned before the next wave of passengers.
“Unfortunately, the mess is so large that travelers sometimes find themselves sitting in the remnants of carnival-goers the following morning,” the company said. Carnival continues until Tuesday.
About 250 cleaners have been deployed this weekend across trains and maintenance sites to handle the surge in waste. NS emphasized that the problem is not limited to the southern provinces where carnival is celebrated. Trains returning northward from carnival areas pass through cities such as Utrecht, spreading the mess to areas where carnival is not observed.
NS urged passengers celebrating carnival to take responsibility for their trash. “Please keep the train clean and take your litter with you, or dispose of it properly at the station or at home,” the company said.
