NS chief Bert Groenewegen has warned railway workers that further cuts in services may be necessary because of the shortage of staff, broadcaster NOS reported on Friday.

‘There is no more “give” in the system,’ Groenewegen is quoted as saying in a company video. ‘The pressure of work is increasing on a shrinking group of staff and that is leading to roster problems, a lack of time off and people dropping out.’

The NS has some 2,200 vacancies – equivalent to over 10% of its 20,000 workforce, he said.

‘If things continue as they are, we may have to further reduce our services,’ Groenewegen is quoted as saying.

In August, the company said its new timetable, which will come into effect in December, would include a 10% cut in services, when compared with pre-coronavirus schedules. The state-owned company was also forced to slash some services during the summer.

Meanwhile, more commuters have been complaining about trains being too full and cancelled at the last minute. Rail users lobby group Rover said earlier this week that complaints about service were up 60% in September when compared with September 2019.