NS returns to operating on profit for first time since 2019
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By Simone Jacobs
Dutch rail company NS has released its annual figures for 2025, posting a profit for the first time since 2019. More cost-saving measures are still in store as the train company tries to climb out of rising debt.
NS makes profit in 2025
After recording a loss of 141 million euros in 2024, NS has managed to “climb out of the dark red financial figures” to make a profit of 11 million euros in 2025. The Dutch rail company attributes the improved finances to increased passenger numbers and cost-saving measures.
Despite posting a profit for the first time since 2019, it is not enough to fix all the company's financial woes. NS has accumulated 1,2 billion euros in debt since 2020 while continuing to make investments in workers, stations and trains despite lower revenues.
Passenger numbers have been down since the pandemic, but are slowly increasing due to more business and leisure travellers. This is still below pre-pandemic levels though.
Dutch trains on time more often
Last year, trains in the Netherlands were on time more often. 85,5 percent of trains arrived at their final destination with a maximum delay of three minutes, up from 83 percent in 2024.
The number of passengers with seats during peak hour travel times rose slightly to 92,4 percent. Passengers have even more luck during off-peak hours, when only every third seat is occupied.
More cost cuts planned for NS
NS has plans to reduce costs by 200 million euros by 2027, 60 million euros of which it already cut in 2025. To lower costs, the public transport company will downsize its headquarters and make cuts to staffing, IT and housing.
Train ticket prices are rising by 6,5 percent this year, lower than the 12 percent rise initially planned. To make up for it, the fine for fare dodging was increased, as was the fee for forgetting to check out. Also, the youth day ticket was replaced with a 40 percent discount and some subscriptions, such as the Weekend Voordeel and Altijd Voordeel, were discontinued.
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Editor for the Netherlands at IamExpat Media. Simone studied Genetics and Zoology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa before moving to the Netherlands, where she has been working as a writer and editor since 2022. One thing she loves more than creating content is consuming it, mainly by reading books by the dozen. Other than being a book dragon, she is also a nature lover and enjoys hiking and animal training.Read more