Train journeys are becoming more expensive: NS recently announced that prices are rising again. And now that the rail transport company is suffering, there may be more price increases. Our readers wonder whether the train here is more expensive than in the rest of Europe.
The short answer: a train ticket is not cheaper in the Netherlands, but also not much more expensive than the average in Europe. “We are in the middle bracket,” says Wijnand Veeneman, researcher infrastructure and mobility at TU Delft.
Among other things, figures from Eurostat from July show this. The Dutch price index for public transport is very average. Although Veeneman is not such a fan of such investigations, because there are many factors. “You can make price indexes in all sorts of ways. And with every way a different country is the most expensive.”
That is why he likes to use a simple sum. You take an X number of kilometers and you count from the capital to another station. How much do you pay for such a ride with the second class? You can see the outcome in the frame below.
Prices for a train ticket (125 kilometers from the capital)
So no, public transport here is “absolutely not more expensive” than in the rest of Europe, says Veeneman. That this idea is nevertheless, according to the professor because people tend to compare it with a drive. By car it is usually quite unclear what the list costs.
Often the price per kilometer or the price of gasoline is often looked at. Insurance, taxes and maintenance are also included, but those costs do not count on most. You will get the complete price in the price of a train ticket. Veeneman: “If you check out at the train, you will immediately see what it costs. You don’t realize that by the car.”
Public transport in the Netherlands receives less subsidy
A Dutch train ticket is therefore no more expensive than average, but certainly not the cheapest: public transport is even free in Luxembourg. What about that? “An important cause is that the Dutch government puts less money in public transport relatively,” says Bert van Wee, professor of transport policy at TU Delft.
Public Transport is also more subsidized in Spain. In addition, wages there are lower. In Portugal, Spain, Greece and Romania, among others, you have to pay less money for a ticket. After all, the personnel costs are less high.
And traveling by train may seem expensive, but it is also well organized here, says Van Wee. “We score well in international comparisons.” Trains often run here on time, the quality of train stations is high and the Netherlands has a dense rail network. That means that there are few disturbances that hinder train traffic.
Moreover, there are “relatively many trains per day”, Van Wee continues. In some other countries you have to wait an hour or more if a train fails. But at many Dutch main stations there is a train every 15 minutes.
In addition, there are many alternatives if there are problems. Do you have to go to Utrecht from Nijmegen, but does your intercity fall out? Then you can always travel via Den Bosch. That only costs you fifteen minutes. Van Wee: “It is a relatively good product for a somewhat higher price.”
Train Journeys are Becoming More Exensive: NS recent announced that prices are rising again. And now that the Rail Operator is Suffering Losses, More Price Increases May Be On The Way. Our Readers Wonder If The Train is more Expective here than in the rest of Europe.
The Short Answer: A Train Ticket In The Netherlands is Neinder Cheaper Nor Much More Expective Than Average in Europe. “We are in the middle bracket,” Says Wijnand Veeneman, Researcher of Infrastructure and Mobility at TU Delft.
This is reflected, among other things, in figures from Eurostat from july. The Dutch Price Index for Public Transport is very Average in this. AltheHeMeeman is not such a fan of such studies, because many factors play a role. “You can create price indexes in All Kinds of Ways. And with Each Method, Another Country Comes Out As The Most Exensive.”
That is why he likes to use a simple sum. You take an x number or kilometers and calculate from the capital to another station. How much do you pay for such a ride with the second class? You can see the result in The Frame Below.
Prices for a Train Ticket (125 kilometers from Capital)
So No, Public Transport is “Absolutely not More Expective” here than in the rest of Europe, Says Veeneman. Accordance to the professor, the reason this idea prevails is that people tend to compare it with a car ride. With a car, it is usual quay unclear what the list costs.
Often only the price per kilometer or the price of petrol is looked at. Insurance, Taxes and Maintenance are also included, but most people do not include those costs. With the price of a train ticket you get the complete price. Veeneman: “When you check out at the train, you immediately see what that costs. You don’t realize that with the car.”
Public Transport in the Netherlands Receives Less subsidy
A Dutch Train Ticket is Therefore Not More Expective Than Average, But Certainly Not The Cheapest: in Luxembourg Public Transport is equally free. How does that work? “An Important Cause is that the Dutch Government Spends Relatively Less Money On Public Transport,” Says Bert van Wee, Professor of Transport Policy at TU Delft.
Public Transport is also more subsidized in Spain. In Addition, Wages are Lower there. In Portugal, Spain, Greece and Romania, Among Others, you have to pay less for a ticket. After all, personnel costs are less high.
And Traveling by Train May Seem Exensive, But It is also well organized here, Says van Wee. “We score well in International Comparisons.” Trains Often Run on Time Here, The Quality of Train Stations is High and The Netherlands Has a Dense Rail Network. This mean that there are few disruptions that nuisance train traffic.
MoreOover, there “relatively many trains per day”, van Wee Continues. In some other country you have to wait an hour or longer if a train breaks down. But at many Dutch Main Stations there is a train every fifteen minutes.
In Addition, there are many alternatives if there are problems. Do you have to travel from Nijmegen to Utrecht, but your intercity is canceled? Then you can always travel via Den Bosch. That only costs you fifteen minutes extra. Van Wee: “It is a relatively good product for somewhat highher price.”