Rail operator NS is to extend its ‘seat finder’ app which helps train passengers find which carriages have spaces free.

The app lets people know before they board the train where they are most likely to find a seat by colour coding carriages green (for empty), orange or red. Sensors in the carriages estimate the number of passengers by measuring carbon dioxide levels.

NS hopes the app will encourage passengers to spread themselves out across the platform rather than clustering around the exits. ‘Depending on the point on the platform where the train stops, we often see passengers getting on the train in a particular place,’ said a spokesman.

The rail operator has a raised its target this year for the number of passengers who should be able to find a seat from 95.2% to 95.5%. In 2016 it was fined €750,000 for failing to ensure that enough seats were available on its high speed services.

NS is also introducing 118 new Sprinter trains this year with more seating capacity and looking to add more seats in its existing stock.