A 19-year-old woman was assaulted for forty minutes on Monday on the train from Amsterdam to Alkmaar. During the ride she couldn’t sound the alarm because there was no conductor around. But what can you do if you feel unsafe? The NS would like to point out the special emergency number again.
The Maatschappij Voor Beter OV already wondered: “How is it possible that a 19-year-old passenger in a silent train was groped and intimidated for forty minutes, partly because the conductor had not been through the train in question? Is the Amsterdam – Alkmaar route a route where extra conductors must be deployed for social safety?”
According to a spokesperson for the NS, it is in any case not uncommon for no conductor to walk through the compartment for forty minutes. “He can be busy with helping travelers, with a passenger without a ticket, with opening and closing the door. It could be anything, it’s guesswork.” She calls the assault “super annoying for the victim.” “Any incident is one too many. Unfortunately, incidents like this happen in society, including on the train.” The spokesperson states that the incident has had ‘a lot of impact’ on the organization and that the NS is fully cooperating in the investigation into the perpetrator.
Emergency number
Since 2020, train passengers who feel unsafe can send a WhatsApp message or SMS to 06-13181318. This is often more accessible than getting up and calling or calling the conductor. The 2021 NS annual report states that a message was sent to the number 2,548 times last year. That is 10 percent of the total number of reports that reached the NS control room.
If a situation like Monday occurs on the street, you should immediately call the emergency services. It’s no different on the train
Travelers can contact the NS control room directly via the special 06 number. He then assesses the situation and what action is necessary. This does not necessarily have to be immediately calling in the Safety & Service team, a call from the chief conductor through the train intercom is often sufficient. In situations where emergency assistance is required, travelers should call 112, according to NS. “If a situation like Monday occurs on the street, you also immediately call the emergency services. That is no different on the train.”
The NS number can be found on the electronic screens in the trains. “Actually, it’s best to save the number in your phone as soon as possible, so that you can use it immediately when needed. Of course we hope that will never be the case, but if you feel unsafe it is better to be able to raise the alarm as soon as possible.”
Priority
For the time being, the NS does not intend to inform people of the number in other places, such as the platforms. If there is a need for this as a result of this incident, the NS will look into it later. “We are not getting ahead of ourselves. Our priority now is to review CCTV footage and find the perpetrator.”
State Secretary Stientje van Veldhoven has already stated that it is important for people to feel safe on the train. “Even if they have to return home in an almost empty compartment after a long shift. The option to send an app or text message if there is something wrong can help with this, so it’s a good thing that this is now possible on all NS trains.”
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