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Strike compensation

First of all, we wish to stress that we sincerely regret any inconvenience caused by the strike by NS personnel. Continue reading to find out what you can do and what compensation you may be entitled to.

NS strike scheme

The right to compensation in the event of a strike is set out in Article 6.4 of Nederlandse Spoorwegen's Terms & Conditions for the transport of Passengers and Hand Luggage (AVR-NS). The NS strike scheme only applies in the event of organised industrial action by NS staff making NS's train transport services entirely impossible.

If the strike scheme is in effect, you are entitled to one of the two following schemes:

  • The NS Delay Refund Scheme (GTBV)

   Or

  • Compensation for alternative transportation up to €25 per person, per day

If you opt for the NS Delay Refund Scheme (GTBV), you are not entitled to compensation for alternative transportation and vice versa.

On the day of the strike, NS will announce whether the strike scheme is in effect. If NS personnel are set to go on strike for several subsequent days, we will announce no later than the first day of the strike the maximum number of days for which travellers can submit a request for compensation for alternative transportation.

Please note that ProRail's announced strikes in November are not organised strikes of NS staff. Therefore, NS' strike scheme does not apply to these days. This means that you will not receive compensation from NS for alternative transportation arranged by yourself; any associated costs will be your own responsibility.

What compensation am I entitled to?

We have listed your options, our offers and how you can redeem our offers below. Conditions apply, including the Terms & Conditions for the NS Delay Refund Scheme (GTBV). The words 'train journey' always refer to an 'NS train journey'.

  • E-ticket or single-use chipkaart (paper ticket)

    You have an e-ticket or single-use chipkaart (paper ticket) that is valid on the day of the strike. We have listed your options, our offers and how you can redeem our offers below.

    • Your journey is delayed by 30-59 minutes
      Partial ticket refund. You can redeem this offer by submitting a Delay Refund request.
    • Your journey is delayed by more than 60 minutes
    • You decide not to travel because your journey would be delayed by more than 60 minutes
    • You opt for a different, paid means of transport because the strike has made your journey impossible.
      You are entitled to up to €25.00 in compensation for alternative transportation, or 0.23 cents per kilometer with a maximum of €25.00 for use of own transport, while the strike scheme is in effect. 

  • OV chipkaart: full fare or Discount season ticket

    You have an OV-chipkaart that you use for full-fare or discounted travel (Discount season ticket valid on the day of the strike). For each situation, we have listed your options, our offers and how you can redeem our offers below.

    • Your journey is delayed by 30-59 minutes
      Partial or full ticket refund. You can redeem this offer by submitting a Delay Refund request
    • Your journey is delayed by more than 60 minutes
      Ticket refund. You can redeem this offer by submitting a Delay Refund request
    • You opt for a different, paid means of transport because the strike has made your journey impossible.
      You are entitled to up to €25.00 in compensation for alternative transportation, or 0.23 cents per kilometer with a maximum of €25.00 for use of own transport, while the strike scheme is in effect.

  • OV chipkaart: Vrij season ticket outside a free-travel time slot

    You have an OV chipkaart with a Vrij season ticket that you want to use or will use on the day of the strike outside your free-travel time slot (e.g. you have a Weekend Vrij season ticket and are travelling on a weekday). We have listed your options and our offers below.

    • Your journey is delayed by  30-59 minutes.
      Partial or full ticket refund. You can redeem this offer by submitting a Delay Refund request.
    • Your journey is delayed by more than 60 minutes
      Ticket refund. You can redeem this offer by submitting a Delay Refund request
    • You opt for a different, paid means of transport because the strike has made your journey impossible.
      You are entitled to up to €25.00 in compensation for alternative transportation, or 0.23 cents per kilometer with a maximum of €25.00 for use of own transport, while the strike scheme is in effect.

  • OV chipkaart: Vrij season ticket during a free-travel time slot

    You have an OV chipkaart with a Vrij season ticket that you want to use or will use on the day of the strike during your free-travel time slot. For each situation, we have listed your options, our offers and how you can redeem our offers below.

    • Your journey is delayed by 30-59 minutes.
      Partial refund of your ticket or season ticket (depends on ticket type). You can redeem this offer by submitting a Delay Refund request.
    • Your journey is delayed by more than 60 minutes.
      Partial refund of your ticket or season ticket (depends on ticket type). You can redeem this offer by submitting a Delay Refund request.
    • You opt for a different, paid means of transport because the strike has made your journey impossible.
      While the strike scheme is in effect, you are entitled to compensation under NS's Delay Refund scheme. This only applies if you would have travelled with NS on the day of the strike. To demonstrate this, you need a check in. If you did not check in, we will ask you to provide evidence of your intention to travel with NS on the day of the strike. Based on this information, we will determine whether you are eligible for compensation despite not having checked in or out. You can redeem this offer by submitting a Delay Refund request.
    • You opt for a different, paid means of transport because the strike has made your journey impossible.
      You are entitled to up to €25.00 in compensation for alternative transportation, or 0.23 cents per kilometer with a maximum of €25.00 for use of own transport, while the strike scheme is in effect.

  • Spoordeelwinkel: E-ticket with an overnight stay

    You have booked an E-ticket with an overnight stay via Spoordeelwinkel. For each situation, we have listed your options, our offers and how you can redeem our offers below.

    • You are using your overnight stay and your train journey is delayed by 30-59 minutes
      Partial or full ticket refund. You can redeem this offer by submitting a Delay Refund request
    • You are using your overnight stay and your train journey is delayed by more than 60 minutes.
    • You are using your overnight stay but do not wish to travel by train because your journey would be delayed by more than 60 minutes.
    • You are using your overnight stay, but opt for a different, paid means of transport because the strike has made your journey impossible.
      You are entitled to up to €25.00 in compensation for alternative transportation, or 0.23 cents per kilometer with a maximum of €25.00 for use of own transport, while the strike scheme is in effect.
    • You do not wish to use your stay or train journey
      . Full refund, including your overnight stay and your ticket. You can request a refund by contacting Spoordeelwinkel Customer Service.

    For more information, visit NS.nl/spoordeelwinkel. 

  • Spoordeelwinkel: E-ticket with a day out

    You have booked an E-ticket with a day out via Spoordeelwinkel. For each situation, we have listed your options, our offers and how you can redeem our offers below.

    • You use your day out and your train journey is delayed by 30-59 minutes
      Partial or full ticket refund. You can redeem this offer by submitting a Delay Refund request.
    • You use your day out and your train journey is delayed by more than 60 minutes
    • You use your day out but do not wish to travel by train because your journey would be delayed by more than 60 minutes.
    • You use your day out, but opt for a different, paid means of transport because the strike has made your journey impossible.
      You are entitled to up to €25.00 in compensation for alternative transportation, or 0.23 cents per kilometer with a maximum of €25.00 for use of own transport, while the strike scheme is in effect.
    • You do not wish to use your day out or your train journey.
      Move your day out and ticket to a new date. You can request a date change by contacting Spoordeelwinkel Customer Service.

    For more information, visit NS.nl/spoordeelwinkel. 

More information