NS is a company that has its roots in the Netherlands and has a single Dutch shareholder, the Dutch State. In this annual report we are therefore primarily giving an account for our Dutch stakeholders. NS focuses on passengers and ensuring that their door-to-door journeys are comfortable. NS concentrates primarily on improving operational performance on the railways, supported by activities that include bicycle facilities, stations and improving the door-to-door journey together with other public transport partners. In addition, we aim to remain a financially healthy organisation. Our stakeholders expect that from us as well. They also want to see accountability for our non-financial results. To many stakeholders, customer satisfaction, safety and punctuality are more important than the financial position. This is also clear from our regular discussions with our stakeholders.
NS is able to have its greatest social impact in the Netherlands. In order to offer passengers the best possible service at the right price, we are also accumulating experience abroad. That keeps us on our toes. Our goals in Germany and the United Kingdom are to acquire knowledge and experience, and to do so profitably. Like other major European state railway companies, we are preparing for possible further liberalisation of the market. Activities abroad have to contribute to the interests in the Netherlands. This annual report, published on 1 March 2018, has been written primarily for the Dutch stakeholders. They say that they believe our activities in Europe are a materially relevant theme. That is why we have included Abellio’s results abroad as a separate chapter. The focus in the franchises is mainly on the operational performance.
In addition to the financial statements and the combined independent auditor’s report on them, the NS Annual Report for 2017 contains other information, comprising:
The report by the NS Executive Board that is included in the chapters Profile of NS, Foreword by the CEO, Our strategy, all parts of Activities in the Netherlands and Operations abroad, Outlook for 2018, Corporate governance, Managing risks, Finances in brief, Our impact on the environment and on society, NS as an employer in the Netherlands, Dialogue with our stakeholders, and Scope and reporting criteria
The report by the Supervisory Board, included in the NS Group section, and
other information pursuant to Part 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code
This annual report is subdivided into three blocks:
A core report containing the profile, the foreword by the CEO, our strategy, operational results and looking ahead. For the operational results, the heart of the report consists of the results that we have achieved within the franchise agreements with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management for the Dutch main rail network.
A section containing other information such as corporate governance, stakeholder dialogues and the social impact analysis.
The financial statements.