The price of train tickets will increase by 6 to 9% in the Netherlands next year. This was announced to the Lower House by resigning State Secretary for Public Transport Thierry Aartsen.

Earlier, a 12% increase was still assumed. However, the Dutch Railways NS is now taking measures such as reducing costs by organizing train maintenance more efficiently, making train sets less readily available as a buffer, and on busy days, fewer trains are taken out of the timetable for maintenance.

No more day pass for young people

The NS acknowledges that due to the smaller buffer, for example, travelers have a greater risk of crowding on the trains. This may occur mainly during rush hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays, particularly in the fall, and in the Randstad area.

Another measure is that the second class will replace the first class in some trains. Finally, specific discounts will come to an end. For example, the NS has already announced the discontinuation of the day pass for young people.

Travelers Association is not happy

The price is rising so sharply because inflation was not previously taken into account. Last year, a 12% price increase was already averted. Then the government stepped in. But earlier this year, the government announced that there is no money for that now.

The price will be finalized this fall.

The Travelers Association Rover finds the 2026 price increase for train tickets unjustifiable. According to director Freek Bos, more expensive tickets mean “another step toward fewer travelers for the entire public transport system.”

The travelers’ association, therefore, calls on the Lower House to blow the whistle on the cabinet and ensure that action is taken this year as well.