Travelling easily and sustainably with the NS App and NS Lab App

For many people, ov sounds like hassle and effort. To plot your route, arrive at the train, tram or metro on time and get from the station to the relevant location. NS App and NS Lab app take away these excuses. With the use of these app(s), your journey from A to B is fully mapped out and enjoyable! Sustainable travel has never been easier.

The NS app is your own journey planner to any address

From home to a meeting in the city, or from your work to a B&B address; you can plan your journey to any address with the NS app - the complete app to plan all your journeys by train, bus, tram and/or metro. Check the current location of the bus or train, see if an OV bike is available, receive push notifications if the timetable is changed due to weather conditions or disruptions on the network, and discover even more handy extra services.

Always up-to-date travel information available

With the NS app, you always have the most up-to-date travel information at your fingertips. The app shows you the departure time and platform, crowding forecast, price and average punctuality of the train and journey. It also reports any delays or scheduled maintenance on the route.

The app also offers the latest news and useful messages, such as a reminder to check out with your OV-chipkaart. You can also use the NS app to buy a ticket.

NS app functionalities

1. Planning a trip by public transport. You can use the app to plan a trip et any public transport mode; not only from train station to train station, but to any address. You can also see the current location of your bus, tram and metro, as well as current departure times.
2. Route monitoring. If you regularly travel on the same train route, you can enter this in app and get a notification of any maintenance work or breakdowns on your route. This way, you will know well in advance whether the regular train will run on time.
3. Save trips. You can save your favourite journeys under 'My Journeys' so you don't have to enter the same information every time. You can also easily view earlier and later journey times by 'swiping' left and right.
4. Up-to-date travel information, delays and technical works. With the app, you always have access to up-to-date travel information, including the current departure times of trains at the station of your choice. The app also lists current delays, disruptions and engineering works, as well as planned maintenance for the next 10 days.
5. Viewing your latest transactions. Receive notifications when you check in and out, and when you forget to check out! Link your OV-chip card and see how much balance you have on it.
6. Train information. The app shows what facilities are available on the train, such as wifi and toilets, and whether there is space for your bike. You can also use the train radar to see where the train is currently on the route.
7. Facilities at stations and availability of ov bike. In one overview, you will see all facilities of the nearest station or a station of your choice. The app also shows the locations of OV bike rental, Greenwheels and NS Zonetaxi. You can also book an NS Zonetaxi and see if OV-fiets are available at your station.
8. Crowding indicator. Want to know how crowded the train is? The crowding indicator provides a forecast for average crowding across the train, based on historical figures and the scheduled train length. You can see the crowding indicator by clicking on the 'more' option at the top right of the screen.
9.  Punctuality indicator. When you select the 'more' option at the top right of the rein advice screen, you will see a punctuality score. This figure indicates how often your train arrived on time in the past three months. If you click on the figure, you can read background information about the rating.
10. Current train length and composition. The app also shows the train type and how long it is. In case of disruptions on the rail network, NS may have to use a different train type than planned, and therefore may be busier than expected, this is mentioned in the app.

NS Lab app

NS Lab offers step-by-step travel guidance, but is not a journey planner. How it works. Via the NS app, you plan your journey and share it with the NS Lab app. You then receive useful information and entertainment for en route. Think about:

• Insight into your planned journey. The app provides insight into how many minutes you have to catch the next train and where and when to change trains.
• View of your route. Based on your location, the app shows which train you are on and which stations it will stop at.
• Scheduling recurring trips. It is now possible to have a trip repeated on fixed days. This will then be added to your calendar so that a trip schedule is automatically formed.
• Offer alternative journeys. If there is a disruption on your journey, the app now offers alternative advice so you don't have to search for it yourself.

In addition to these functionalities, the 2 apps offer the option of continuing the journey when you leave the station. Your location may still be a certain distance from the station where you get off. No problem. NS, through its collaborations with GO Sharing and Check's electric shared scooters, SIXT share's electric shared cars and Donkey Republic's shared bikes, has the option to continue your journey with one of these sustainable alternatives.