NS train conductors in the Netherlands will start wearing body cameras on Tuesday, in a move aimed at tackling persistent aggression and violence on Dutch trains.
State Secretary Annet Bertram handed the first two cameras to NS workers at The Hague Central Station on Tuesday morning, calling it “an important step” towards making public transport safer, reports Hart van Nederland.
A 2024–2025 trial with 120 volunteer head conductors and service staff found the cameras helped calm tensions during incidents and produced footage usable as evidence in criminal cases.
The previous cabinet set aside €12 million for the rollout at Prinsjesdag (Budget Day) last year, as part of a broader safety package for public transport.
How do the bodycams work?
Train staff can switch the camera on when a situation appears likely to become dangerous, or when they suspect a criminal offence is being committed.
Footage can be reviewed by the conductor or authorised NS personnel, and police or judicial authorities can request recordings for investigations.
Everything is automatically deleted after 28 days, according to Nu.nl.
NS security employees — around 700 BOA’s (buitengewoon opsporingsambtenaren, special enforcement officers) — have worn bodycams since 2018, and this rollout extends that same function to conductors.
Why now?
In April 2024, a female conductor was beaten, kicked, and pushed down the stairs of a train by a group of youths. The attack prompted public transport across Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague to halt for three minutes in solidarity.
The incident was far from isolated: NS recorded over 1,000 instances of threats and assaults against train staff in 2023 alone.
The goal is for all 3,500 chief conductors to be equipped by the end of 2026. Each must first complete a one-day training course on when the cameras can legally be switched on.
In the meantime, other resources are available, too. If you’ve ever felt uneasy on a Dutch train, here’s how to get help via WhatsApp.
Do you think bodycams will make a difference on Dutch trains? Let us know in the comments below.
This is why we’ll end up with facial recognition cameras everywhere, because a small percentage of the population can’t abide by social norms of public conduct.