NS offers discounted train tickets near rush hour

National rail operator NS has expanded its PrijsTijd Deals scheme to cover train journeys scheduled just outside peak rush hours.

The discounts are intended to encourage commuters to take slightly earlier or later trains, freeing up seats on the most crowded services.

The move comes ahead of the busiest month of the year on the rail network, when passenger numbers spike sharply on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Spreading the peak commute

NS describes these surges as extreme peaks concentrated within a single hour, comparing the strain to overload on the power grid.

Timetable director Tijmen Voet said even small shifts in passenger choices could significantly reduce the need for commuters to stand.

According to NS, if 6% of passengers on the 07:46 sprinter from Den Haag Mariahoeve to Leiden Centraal chose a train 15 minutes earlier, all passengers on both services would have a seat.

A similar 8% shift to a train 30 minutes later on the 08:49 intercity from Zwolle to Amersfoort would also ensure seats for everyone on both departures.

Booking rules and exclusions

While standard off-peak discounts can reach up to 60%, savings on tickets booked along the edges of rush hours will average around 30%.

Tickets must be purchased at least one day in advance and can be booked up to 30 days ahead, with earlier purchases receiving higher discounts.

The discounts do not apply to train trips to Schiphol Airport or on rail routes where track maintenance is taking place.

An NS survey found that one in five commuters is willing to take a quieter service for a cheaper fare, with most open to waiting half an hour.

Source: NOS