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Nederlands
NS.nl

annual report 2020

Foreword by the CEO

Over the past year, NS has proved to be a healthy company that is able to keep the Netherlands moving despite huge setbacks. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, we are facing a stiff challenge for the years ahead.

2020: A year dominated by COVID-19

NS has been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, both from an operational and a financial perspective. We were confronted with a dramatic decline in passenger numbers and in the use of our door-to-door services and the shops and services at our stations.

Our strategy

In February 2020, NS presented its strategy for the 2020-2025 period. However, the projected consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for NS over the next few years have caused us to adapt the implementation of that strategy.

Expected developments in the long term

The world is changing rapidly. Due to the coronavirus, however, some developments are accelerating while others are slowing down.

How NS adds value to society

Each year, NS provides sustainable mobility to millions of passengers in the Netherlands. In doing so, we contribute to the accessibility and economic development of cities and regions, and to the country’s climate goals.

Our impact on the Netherlands

Until the first quarter of 2020, many people in the Netherlands used our trains almost every day. And even while passenger numbers have plummeted, our social impact remains huge.

Socio-economic impact of mobility and travel time

The Kennis Instituut Mobiliteit, a knowledge centre for mobility issues, has valued the importance of mobility in the Netherlands at €76 billion.

Environmental impact: emissions, land use, waste, water and noise

Our negative environmental impact results, among other things, from the use of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels cause air pollution due to emissions of substances such as CO2, SO2, NOx and particulate matter.

Socio-economic impact through safety

NS contributes to safety in society by providing safe transport and a safe environment for its passengers and employees. We constantly work to guarantee occupational safety, personal safety and safe travel.

Socio-economic impact on health through a more active lifestyle

Passengers who use our services become more active than they would be if they opted for a different mode of transport. We calculated this socio-economic impact for the first time in 2018.
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