NS will receive a fine of 2 million euros for performing poorly last year (2010) according to Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment, Melanie Schultz van Haegen (VVD).

This record fine is an incentive for NS to improve the overall performance following a bad year report:
› 92,5 percent of trains had no delays as opposed to 93 percent of the signed contract
› passengers were dissatisfied with the information distortion (delays and cancellations)
› lack of seats during rush hours (especially for traffic heading Utrecht)

Note that penalty may be waived if NS performs better in 2011. The 1,8 million euros fine for 2009 was reduced to half a million since NS met the targets of the annual performance agreement last year.