Travelling with Reduced Mobility
Are you travelling with reduced mobility? NS is happy to help make your journey as comfortable, independent and straightforward as possible. Our Sprinters and ICNG Intercity trains have sliding steps that make boarding and alighting easier, and you can use NS Travel Assistance free of charge, where an assistant supports you when getting on and off. You can also take aids such as wheelchairs, mobility scooters and assistance dogs with you free of charge.
This page explains everything about travelling with reduced mobility: how to prepare your journey at home, what facilities are available at the station, and what arrangements are in place on the train.
Request NS travel assistance
Prepare at home
You can easily plan your journey at home using the NS app or the Journey Planner. Here you will see which facilities are available at your departure and arrival station, and you can book an accessible journey. When planning, you can select the option Show accessible journeys only under Additional options. This lets you see immediately where you can board and alight independently and where assistance is required.
If you require assistance, you can book it online via NS Travel Assistance, through the NS app, or by calling 030-235 7822. You will need a one-time Mijn NS account for online booking. Travel assistance is available at most stations.
At the station
Stations offer various facilities to make travelling easier for passengers with reduced mobility. Almost all stations have step-free platforms accessible by lift or ramp. Where the station is only accessible through gates, there is always an extra-wide entrance for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
NS Ticket Machines are wheelchair accessible, and many feature a special wheelchair mode that places buttons lower on the screen. There is no boarding fee at the service desk.
All stations have Service and Alarm pillars that are accessible 24/7. You can use these to ask for information or press the SOS button in an emergency.
Are you travelling with an assistant? One assistant can accompany you for free on the train, metro, tram and bus with an OV-Begeleiderskaart. The card carries your name, so you choose who travels with you.
On the train
Various facilities are available on the train to assist travellers with reduced mobility:
Sliding step
All Sprinters and ICNG Intercity trains have a sliding step that reduces the gap between the train and the platform. You can usually board and alight independently at a platform of the right height. If your mobility aid has small wheels or low footrests, or if you have reduced arm strength, NS Travel Assistance can support you.
Wheelchair spaces
You can identify wheelchair spaces by the blue wheelchair icon near the door. A seat for a companion is always available next to or opposite these spaces. All trains have wheelchair-accessible toilets, and the wheelchair areas are clearly marked on the floor.
Priority seats
Priority seats are reserved for travellers who require additional support, such as those with reduced mobility, older people or pregnant women. They are located near the door and are marked with icons.
SOS button
The newest trains feature an SOS button near the wheelchair spaces and in the toilet. The button is red, illuminated by LEDs, and has a raised SOS bell symbol. Pressing it sends a direct alert to the train driver, who contacts the chief train conductor to provide assistance.
Side to alight
The NS app shows which side of the train you will be alighting on so you can be ready in time. This information is also accessible through your smartphone's standard audio feature.
Aids and Personal Assistance
Your wheelchair, mobility scooter or assistance dog can travel free of charge on the train. When you travel with a personal assistant, you can use an OV Personal Assistant Pass, allowing one assistant to travel with you free of charge.
Travelling with an aid
Anton has reduced mobility and shows in this video how he plans and makes his journey. He travels independently in his wheelchair but also uses NS Travel Assistance when needed. Let his story inspire you and discover how train travel is accessible for everyone.