The Dutch Railways announced on Wednesday that the prices for single train tickets in 2nd class would increase by 5.5 percent next year.
Prices for people traveling in 1st class will even rise by 7.4 percent. In order to make train travel more attractive for commuters, the price for some season tickets will be lowered. On average, however, prices go up by 4.3 percent.
The NS adjusts the rates every year. This is done on the basis of the expected inflation and the compensation that the transport company pays to ProRail for the use of the rail network. However, the timing of the price hike announcement seems unfortunate.
Only a few days ago (Monday), the railway company announced that it would again cut the timetable sharply. Traveler organization Rover reported the same day that so many complaints from travelers have been received in October.
In addition, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) announced on Monday that research has shown that it is often very difficult to get to work or to certain facilities without a car. According to the PBL you often travel much longer by bike or public transport, especially outside the city centres.
All this development raises the question of whether NS is not busy pricing itself – and thus the train – out of the market.