Dutch rail operator NS has introduced new luggage rules prohibiting passengers from placing bags on seats, even when trains are largely empty.
Previously, travelers could use an empty seat for hand luggage but were expected to move their belongings if another passenger needed the seat. Under the revised policy, bags must now be kept on passengers’ laps or stored in the train’s luggage racks at all times.
The rail operator said the initial focus will be on educating passengers rather than enforcement. Posters will be displayed across the network, and conductors will remind travelers of the new rules. No fines will be issued for violations.
NS said the move is intended to tackle the growing problem of passengers occupying seats with luggage, particularly during busy commuting periods when available seating is limited.
The operator also noted that travelers are increasingly reluctant to ask others to move their bags, citing rising levels of aggression on public transport and in society more broadly.
Passenger advocacy group Rover welcomed the change, describing bags on seats as one of the most common complaints from rail users.
“It ranks among the top three frustrations for travelers,” Rover director Daan Zieren told Dutch broadcaster NOS.
He said passengers previously tended to remove their bags when trains became crowded, but that behavior has become less common.
“Many people now pretend not to notice other passengers by looking out the window, while some simply refuse to move their bags,” he said.
Rover supports the updated policy provided it remains focused on awareness rather than penalties, saying better passenger behavior could significantly improve the travel experience.
