• * For 2018, these indicators were changed due to technical adjustments to the measuring system; see the explanation here.

NS wants passengers to be confident that they will arrive at their destination at the scheduled time. We use the ‘punctuality for passengers’ performance indicator to measure the punctuality in a way that also looks at whether they made their connections. Punctuality for passengers (to 5 minutes) for the main rail network was higher than ever in 2018: 92.6% (2017: 91.6%). Record numbers of passengers reached their destinations on time. A statistic that is related to punctuality is the number of ‘good train days’, ones on which more than 90% of the trains run on time. Whereas the trains ran on time on 218 ‘good’ days in 2017, this figure was 258 days in 2018.
 The reason for these good scores can be found in the redesign of the timetable in 2017 and the increased frequency of the trains between Eindhoven and Amsterdam. The introduction of this frequent service went smoothly thanks to the careful preparation together with ProRail. In general the changes in the timetable went better than last year, so there was little or no deterioration in performance. In 2018 NS also tested innovations that can further increase punctuality, like the boarding zones, driving advice for train drivers and countdowns at crossings.

Influence of the weather on punctuality

Sometimes the weather throws a spanner in the works. On 18 January a strong storm resulted in the train traffic having to stop because the safety of passengers could no longer be guaranteed. Between April and August there were faults with the trains and the track due to the hot weather. The punctuality was also lower in certain places in February, July and August due to work on the tracks, including in Zwolle, Zaandam, Weert and Gouda. On the other hand, the usual autumn decrease in punctuality was limited last year.

Punctuality for passengers to 15 minutes on the main rail network

Punctuality for passengers to 15 minutes on the main rail network was 97.7% in 2018 (97.4% in 2017).This KPI has never been this high before. Just like with punctuality for passengers to 5 minutes, the introduction of the new timetable had a positive effect on the punctuality. We also implemented changes afterwards to improve some changeover options. More attention was given to the routes that scored lowest on this KPI, including the HSL trains. Sometimes small improvements in the timetable during the year can result in further improvement in the reliability for passengers.