The train service in the Netherlands is operated by NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen). In recent years it has worked closely with various Dutch associations and municipalities in order to make Dutch railway stations more accessible. A series of services has been developed that facilitate the use of its services by a large clientele, thus making it easier for both residents and tourists to travel. Most Dutch train stations are accessible for people with hearing, visual and / or motor impairments. Inside its structures there are in fact tactile guides, ramps and elevators.
Travelling with a motor disability
Accessibility of the station and platforms:
In the Netherlands almost all tracks are accessible and can be reached via a lift or a ramp. The ProRail company is also working across the country to bring the platforms to the correct height. At this link you can consult the list of NS to see the accessible stations
Tickets:
You can buy a ticket that is valid for travel on Dutch trains in 3 ways:
1) Buying an e-ticket online. To print and take with you on the trip.
2) By reloading the personal or anonymous OV chip card. (read our article for more information on paper).
It is possible to request the assistance service for support inside the train station or even inside the train. This service must be requested in advance, it is recommended at least 3 hours before. The request can be made through the website by clicking here, by calling the NS Service Center (030-2357822), or through the NS application on your smartphone or tablet. When requesting assistance, you must indicate the date, departure time, departure and arrival stations of the trip. You will be given confirmation of your booking with the meeting point at the station. Please arrive at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure.
NS service column and alarm:
In addition to the employees of the railway company present in the larger stations, it is possible to find Service and Alarm columns. They are present on the platforms in the smaller stations and from these you can request information 24 hours a day, every day. It has two buttons: a blue one at the top for assistance and a red one at the bottom for alarm. These columns are also accessible when seated in a wheelchair.
Planning:
You can use the free service of NS Trave Assistance: an employee of the railway company can offer you qualified help with boarding and disembarking and inside the railway station. You can book the service by submitting the request through the website at this link (ns.nl/reisassistentie), by calling the NS Service Center (030-2357822), or through the NS application on your smartphone or tablet (by clicking here for the App Store or here for Google Play Store).
Entrance:
With the option to plan the trip, you can check whether a particular train is accessible or not. The latest generation SNG and Flirt trains have a sliding step so that the passenger can enter and exit the train by himself. It is a small difference in height. If the muscle strength is reduced or the aid used has small wheels, we recommend that you contact the NS Travel Assistance service. Enter through doors that have a blue wheelchair passenger icon sticker – this entrance stays open longer than the others.
Inside:
Inside the accessible carriages there is a space dedicated to wheelchair users. There is also a chair for a possible companion. The accessible toilet is also accessible from this space (note that the sprinter SLT train is not equipped with a toilet).
Wheelchairs and mobility scooters:
To be able to travel by train with a wheelchair or mobility scooter, they must meet certain criteria to be able to access the lifts and ramps. They must not be longer than 150 cm, more than 70 cm wide and more than 137.5 cm high (including any luggage). If you have a manual chair and need to be pushed, the total weight should not exceed 200 kilograms. If you are using an electric wheelchair, the total weight must not exceed 300 kilograms.
Segway:
In the Netherlands it is possible to travel on trains with a disability Segway. It is not necessary to pay an extra fee and there are no time limits. The railway service applies the following requirements for the transport of this means: a sticker for the disabled on a clearly visible point; a valid document to prove that the Segway is a necessary tool; maximum dimensions (150 cm long, 70 cm wide, 137.50 cm high); maximum weight (traveler and Segway can weigh a maximum of 300 kg).
Reception:
At train stations in most cities you will find a service desk with people who can provide you with information at any time. In smaller stations you will find a service pillar (with Braille) with which you can contact the NS.
Travelling with visual impairment:
Accessibility of the station and platforms:
By clicking at the following link you can check the NS list for accessible train stations.
Book NS Travel Assistance assistance:
It is possible to request the assistance service for support inside the train station or even inside the train. This service must be requested
in advance, it is recommended at least 3 hours before. The request can be made through the ns.nl/reisassistentie website, by calling the NS
Service Center (030-2357822), or through the NS application on your smartphone or tablet. When requesting assistance, you must indicate the date, departure time, departure and arrival stations of the trip. You will be given confirmation of your booking with the meeting point at the station. Please arrive at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure.
NS service column and alarm:
In addition to the employees of the railway company present in the larger stations, it is possible to find Service and Alarm columns. They are
present on the platforms in the smaller stations and from these you can request information 24 hours a day, every day. It has two buttons: a blue one at the top for assistance and a red one at the bottom for alarm. These columns are also accessible when seated in a wheelchair.
Planning:
You can use the free service of NS Trave Assistance: an employee of the railway company can offer you qualified help with boarding and
disembarking and inside the railway station. You can book the service by submitting the request through the website at this link
(ns.nl/reisassistentie), by calling the NS Service Center (030-2357822), or through the NS application on your smartphone or tablet (by clicking
here for the App Store or here for Google Play Store).
Service 1 Stap Verder
In the higher stations, the “1 Stap Verder” service is offered: blind and visually impaired travelers can be assisted by qualified personnel at the bus, tram or underground stop, at official taxis or at the “pick up and drop off point” “of the station. The service can be requested
through NS Travel Assistance by clicking here. This service is offered for the following railway stations:
- Utrecht Central
- Zwolle
- L’Aia Central
- Amsterdam Central
- Rotterdam Central
Tactile guidlines and tactile maps
From home it is already possible to consult where the tactile guidelines are located inside the stations. NS has dedicated a special web page that you will find by clicking here. The page is in Dutch only.
In larger stations there are tactile maps in the OV Service & Tickets shop. The service is offered at the following stations:
- Amsterdam Central
- Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena
- Amsterdam Sloterdijk
- Arnhem Central
- Den Bosch
- L’Aia Centrale
- Leiden
- Rotterdam Central
- Utrecht Central
- Zwolle
Tickets:
You can buy a ticket that is valid for travel on Dutch trains in 3 ways:
1) Buying an e-ticket online. To print and take with you on the trip.
2) By reloading the personal or anonymous OV chip card. (read our article for more information on paper).
3) By purchasing a ticket at the station, at the NS vending machine or at the service desk. On the right side of the machine, there are one below the other: the number of the machine, also in Braille and inrelief; the keyboard and the slot for payment with the debit card; thespace for contactless payments; the OV chip card reader (at hip height).
NS allows you to travel with your guide dog at no additional cost. In order to travel for free, the dog must be clearly identifiable as a
guide dog or guide dog in training.
Reception:
At train stations in most cities you will find a service desk with people who can provide you with information at any time. In smaller stations you will find a service pillar (with Braille) with which you can contact the NS.
In the train:
- The latest generation trains have an SOS button both in the bathroom and in the spaces for travelers with wheelchairs. The button has the image of a bell, with the bell and the SOS letters in relief. It is red in color and has LED lighting with audio feedback. Once the button is pressed, a report is sent to the driver of the vehicle.
- Also in the most recent trains, there is a sliding platform to facilitate entry on the
train, a platform that reduces the distance between the track and the train. - 1st and 2nd class: on the sprinter trains, entering the second class is directly accessed; for the first you have to go through a
door. In the Intercity, the class and “silence” zone signals are recognizable by tactile indications, for example on doors or stair railings. - Priority seats: all trains are equipped with priority seats, as close as possible to the entrance doo