Premium Seating Adjustments to Align with Evolving Travel Trends

According to a recent report from the Netherlands’ national railway operator, NS, there will be a notable reduction in first-class seating on Sprinter local trains. This decision comes as a response to shifting passenger habits that have emerged since the pandemic began.With more people opting to work from home, there’s been a noticeable decline in train usage among commuters and business travelers. Additionally, NS is under government directives to enhance the availability of second-class seating for passengers.

As part of this initiative announced on May 26, NS plans to transform some first-class seats into second-class ones across 190 Flirt3, SNG4, and SLT4 electric multiple units by summer 2026. This change will introduce an additional 3,580 second-class seats into their service.

While first class remains popular on long-distance routes—where occupancy rates are healthy—sprinter trains show that only about 10% of first-class seats are occupied during peak times. Therefore, even with these adjustments, there will still be ample first-class options available for those who prefer them.

This shift not only reflects changing travel patterns but also highlights how public transport systems worldwide must adapt to evolving commuter needs post-pandemic. As an example, similar trends can be observed in cities like Tokyo or new York where flexible working arrangements have led to fluctuating ridership levels across various transit lines.