Operating revenue

Revenue in the Netherlands (€2,757 million in 2020, €3,208 million in 2019)

Revenue from passengers in the Netherlands decreased by €1,122 million as a result of the drop in passenger numbers. The number of passenger-kilometres fell by 55% compared with 2019. In addition, revenue from Stations operations declined by €171 million, which is mainly attributable to the lower income from retail activities and OV-fiets as a direct consequence of the drop in passenger numbers. At the request of the government we continued running our trains, even after passenger numbers had plummeted to a mere 10% of the normal volume. The government partly compensated us for this by offering an ‘availability payment’ (beschikbaarheidsvergoeding) of €818 million. That payment has been recognised under revenues in the financial statements. Over the period from March to December 2020, it amounts to a 93% compensation of the costs net of revenues achieved. In November we received an 80% advance on the availability payment. As for station activities in the period March–December, NS recognised a contribution towards wage costs of €24 million (under the Temporary Emergency Bridging Measure for Sustained Employment (NOW)).

Revenue of Abellio UK (€3,100 million in 2020, €2,919 million in 2019)

In the United Kingdom, too, passenger numbers plunged to less than 10% of normal levels after the COVID-19 outbreak and the introduction of government restrictions. Following the easing of those restrictions in July, passenger volumes recovered to around 20% of normal levels. However, in December the numbers dropped once again to less than 10% of normal levels. Immediately after the COVID-19 outbreak, the UK authorities acted fast and effectively by assuming the turnover and cost risks from train operating companies and offering 100% compensation of the costs incurred plus a management fee. In all, over 2020 Abellio UK received €1,525 million in compensation for the loss of passenger revenues. The growth in revenues for Abellio was mainly driven by the East Midlands franchise contract, which started in August 2019.

Revenue of Abellio Germany (€744 million in 2020, €534 million in 2019)

Revenue from Abellio Germany grew by €210 million to €744 million (2019: €534 million). This growth was primarily driven by the start of the Stuttgarter Netz, Ruhr-Sieg Netz 2 and S-Bahn Rhein-Ruhr franchise contracts in the second half of 2019, and phase 2 of Rhein-Ruhr-Express and Stuttgarter Netz in 2020. In Germany, the direct financial impact of COVID-19 on revenues has remained limited because the clients – the public transport authorities – bear the loss-of-income risk. The start of the last phase of Rhein-Ruhr-Express and Stuttgarter Netz means that the last franchise contracts won in 2015 and early 2016 are now operational. Abellio has not won any new franchise contracts since 2016, but instead has focused on implementing existing franchises. Abellio Germany’s revenue has grown from €77 million in 2015 to €744 million in 2020.