NS 2019

Railway safety

The number of SPADs was 58 in 2019 (2018: 61). Of these, 38 took place within the Remote-Controlled Area (CBG) (2018: 47). In 8 cases this involved a train reaching a 'danger point', such as a switch (2018: 9 cases).

Performance on sustainability

Mobility offers Dutch society, and the Dutch economy, many benefits, but it comes at a cost to the environment. If mobility in this country is to be safeguarded in the longer term, we will have to make travelling more sustainable.

Climate

NS is one of the largest electricity consumers in the Netherlands. We use 90% of that electricity for running the trains and 10% for our buildings.

Circularity

NS aspires to be a fully circular company by 2030. Circular purchasing is the key to circular business operations and circular trains and stations.

Waste at stations and on trains

In 2015, NS, ProRail and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management signed the Green Deal on waste reduction and recycling.

NS: a sustainable brand

Sustainability is becoming a more and more important criterion for consumers in their purchasing decisions for both products (more than half of products bought in 2019) and services.

Sustainable procurement

Every year, NS purchases goods and services with a value totalling more than a billion euros. In 2019 we had ties with approximately 4,300 active suppliers in 23 countries.

Accessibility

All our customers, and especially those with an impairment, set great store by seamless travel. That is why we are keen to make rail travel more accessible to all, every year.

Financial performance

NS posted revenues of €6,661 million in 2019, an increase of 12.4%. Last year, NS invested €769 million, mainly in the procurement of new trains and upgrades of existing trains.

Operating revenue

Revenue was €6,661 million in 2019 compared with €5,926 million in 2018, an increase of 12.4%. Most of this increase was generated abroad.

Operating expenses

NS's operating expenses rose by €637 million, from €5,745 million in 2018 to €6,382 million in 2019.

Underlying result from operating activities

Our financial position and results need to be sound if we are to achieve our ambitions and keep train fares affordable.

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Our activities and achievments in the Netherlands