A Dictionary of Dutchness

NS

The first Dutch railway was built in 1839. Today Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch rail) is a 100% state-owned company which operates as a commercial enterprise – in other words it has to give its government shareholders a dividend and is allowed to pay its bosses market rates. But the government keeps a lid on fares. The NS moves one million people around the country every day and is also involved in providing some rail services in Britain. Trains which are up to five minutes late are considered on time.