Dutch railway company NS is planning to make rush-hour tickets more expensive and has reached an agreement in principle with junior transport minister Wilma Mansveld, the AD reports on Wednesday.

A rush-hour journey can cost a maximum 10% more while season tickets will go up 6%, the AD says.

However, before rush-hour tickets can be made more expensive, the NS must carry out research into the likely impact of the price rises. Consumer groups must also have their say, the AD says.

Cars

The NS wants to find out if putting up prices leads to fewer people using the train. The aim is not to force people to use their cars but to persuade them to take a later train to work.

‘That is more likely because of flexible working,’ the AD quotes Mansveld as saying. ‘We want to spread the flow of passengers throughout the day… we are also thinking about flexible charges for cargo trains.’

The agreement with Mansveld is part of a larger deal covering 2015 to 2025. NS has also agreed to increase the number of train services and continue with night trains at weekends.

Regional transport

Breakdowns have to be solved more quickly (replacement services within an hour) and the connections with city and regional transport should be improved.

If the NS fails to meet targets it will face fines of up to €6.5m. The minister is also looking to see if the fines can be linked to executive pay. They should not be given bonuses if the company is fined for poor performance, the minister says.

NS is 100% state owned.