Dutch Rail will next month begin trials of a system to guarantee passengers heading for Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport will actually get there.

People taking part in the trial will pay an extra €5 to use a special app which allows them to access tailor-made travel advice to reach the airport in time.

‘In the worst case scenario, we will take you by taxi and lead you to the right check-in at Schiphol, and if that fails, we will refund the costs of rebooking your flight,’ the state-owned rail company said in a statement.

The NS hopes the project will boost the accessibility of Schiphol by public transport. The airport-Utrecht route was particularly hard hit by breakdowns last year.

Rail users’ organisation Rover said it did not believe passengers should have to pay extra for a guarantee. The NS hopes 1,500 people will sign up for the trial.