Unless you haven’t noticed, there aren’t always toilets on every train and station in the Netherlands. That is why the ‘ombudsman’ for better public transport Annemarie den Toom is pushing for a change. Here is why.
Shouldn’t there be toilets in every train and station?
Yes, absolutely! However, unfortunately that is not the case everywhere. According to reports from travelers, there are stations in the Netherlands where there are no toilets whatsoever. For example, many people have been complaining about the new station in Elst where people sometimes have to wait an hour for a train and there is no toilet. Another station that has been causing passengers to complain is the one Boxtel, where the only toilet is located in bicycle shed that is usually closed on Sundays (this must be a nightmare during rush hour in the Netherlands). That is why the ombudsman is urging the government to do something about this issue.
Who is affected by this and when will we see a change?
Because of the lack of toilets, the elderly and sick people suffer the most. Passengers who are older or suffer from bladder problems are the most inconvenienced by this, provoking them to avoid using the trains whenever possible. According to Den Toom this is not acceptable in 2018.
Currently, NS is already busy with solving the toilet problems on the track. All the new and standard trains (damn toilet lacking sprinters) have a toilet on board, while the 130 old sprinters that are currently in use must have a toilet by 2021.
Have you ever been inconvenienced by the lack of toilets in some trains and stations around the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below!