Accessible travel by public transport
At 9292, we think it is important for everyone to be able to travel by public transport. Here you will find all the information that can help you arrange accessible travel.
Plan an accessible journey in the 9292 planner
The 9292 journey planner makes it easy to plan an accessible journey. The planner considers the accessibility of stops, stations, and vehicles. This is useful, for example, if you are a wheelchair user or you are blind or partially sighted.
Do you not have the 9292 app yet? Download it now and easily plan your accessible journey.
Plan an accessible journey on the website
Enter your start and end points.
Tap 'Additional options'.
Click on the icon under 'Accessible travel'. This turns blue if you have selected accessible travel.
Tap 'Plan my journey'.
The planner now plans an accessible journey for you. Have a nice journey!
Plan an accessible journey in the app
Open the 9292 app.
Enter your start and end points.
Tap 'Options'.
Check the box beside 'Plan an accessible journey'.
Tap 'Finished' at the top right of your screen.
The planner now plans an accessible journey for you. Have a nice journey!
Is the explanation video above not working? Watch it here.
Travelling with a visual impairment
If you are blind or partially sighted, travelling by public transport can be challenging. For example, it can be hard to see when the bus is approaching, or to find the right platform. Below, we provide some tips.
Guide lines and Braille at stations and stops
You will find guide lines at many stations and stops. You can feel these lines using a touch stick and they take you to important places, like platforms and ticket machines.
Also, all check-in poles for the OV-chipkaart have pictograms on them in Braille, so you can feel where to check in or out. In some buses and trams, you will also find Braille, for example on the stop buttons.
Broadcasting messages on public transport
At train stations and in most transport vehicles, information is broadcast through speakers. For example, if a platform has changed or a train has been delayed. On the bus, train, tram, and metro, the announcements will also tell you what the next stop is. This way, you will know when to press the stop button.
While checking in and out, pay attention to the number of beeps. At check-in, there is only 1 beep, and there are 2 beeps at check-out.
Some bus, tram, and metro stops have an information kiosk with an audio button. Want to know how many minutes there are until the next bus comes? Press this button. The information is then read out loud for you.
Tip – Are the announcements on the train, bus, tram, or metro not working? Then it is hard to know when to get out. Ask the driver, conductor, or a fellow traveller if they can give you a signal when to get off.
How to make the bus stop
In some cases, the bus only stops when passengers let the bus driver know they want to get on. That can be tricky if you do not see the bus coming. Make sure your touch stick is easy for the bus driver to see. When they see the touch stick, the bus driver always stops. They also tell you right away which direction they are going in. This way, you will know whether to get on this bus or wait for the next one.
Assistance dogs allowed free on public transport
Do you need extra support during your journey? Then an assistance dog can always travel with you for free. However, the dog must always be recognisable as an assistance dog. For example, by a harness, cover, or brace with the logo of an assistance dog organisation on it.
Travelling with a companion
Do you enjoy travelling with a companion? With the public transport companion card, your companion travels with you for free. This way, your companion can help you during the journey if needed.
Assistance at the station
For people with a visual impairment, NS offers the '1 Stap Verder' (1 step further) service. With this service, travellers are met on arrival at major platforms by an NS travel assistant. This travel assistant will guide you to your next form of transport. This could be the bus, tram, or metro stop, the official taxi rank, or the pick-up and drop-off (K+R) area at the station.
You can request the 1 step further service by phone via the NS customer service (030-2357822). The NS website shows which stations you can request this for.
Travelling with an auditory disability
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, hearing the conductor’s whistle or announcements about delays can be difficult or impossible. We are therefore happy to share some tips to help you navigate these problems.
Information boards at stations and bus stops
At most stations and stops, there are visual aids for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Information screens show what time trains, buses, trams, or metros leave. If there is a delay, or a platform has changed, you will see this information on the screens as well.
Information boards on the train, bus, tram, and metro
There are digital screens in almost all modes of transport these days. These show you where you are and what the next stop is, so you know exactly when to get out.
In some metros and trams, there is also a map hanging above the door or window showing all the stops where the vehicle stops. This sometimes shows with lights which stop you are currently at, or which stop you are travelling to now.
Is the screen not there? Or is it not working? Then you can use the 9292 app instead. You can also use the live vehicle position in the app to see exactly where you are. All information on delays and platform changes are also in the app.
Boarding the train
It is dangerous to board a train when the doors are closing. But what if you cannot hear the conductor's whistle?
On modern trains – Do you see a red light above the doors when they are about to close? This lamp flashes as soon as the chief conductor locks the doors. You are not allowed to enter or exit when this light is flashing.
On older trains – pay attention to the conductor. Are they standing with their whistle in their mouth? Then you cannot get on!
Companions travel free of charge
Did you know that there are also special travel products for people with disabilities? For example, you can take a companion with you for free on public transport. This companion can help you during your journey. Read more about the public transport companion card here.
Travelling with a motor disability
Travelling by public transport can be challenging if you have a motor disability. For example, if you use a wheelchair or walker. Fortunately, there are still many ways to get to your destination.
Using a wheelchair or mobility scooter on public transport
Train – Most trains have high-floor boarding. This makes it difficult to board the train if you cannot use stairs. You can request travel assistance from the NS. They can help you with boarding and exiting the train. On the NS website, you can see the conditions for applying for travel assistance.
Bus – Buses often have an option to board at the back of the bus with a wheelchair or walker. Drivers have a special boarding ramp or can help with boarding. A special place for wheelchairs is also reserved on the bus. Mobility scooters are unfortunately not allowed on the bus. This is because they are too big and heavy.
Tram – Not all trams are accessible. There are major differences from one company to another. It is therefore best to check the website of the company you are travelling with: HTM, GVB, RET, U-OV.
Metro – The accessibility of trams and metros is different with each company. Curious about accessibility? Check the website of the company you are travelling with: GVB, RET.
Ferry – The accessibility design varies from one ferry company to another. Therefore, always check the website of the company you are travelling with: e.g. Waterbus, Teso, GVB, Rederij Doeksen.
Wheelchairs, walkers, and mobility scooters on public transport
Wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches can always be taken on public transport for free. Wheelchairs should not be too big. Before departure, check the terms and conditions of the operator you are travelling with. Then, you can be sure that your wheelchair or mobility scooter is allowed on public transport. You can find these conditions on the operator's website.
The conditions of taking a wheelchair or mobility scooter on the train
Wondering if you can take a wheelchair or mobility scooter on NS trains? Here are some conditions you need to consider:
The wheelchair or mobility scooter must be a maximum of 150 cm long, 70 cm wide, and 137.5 cm high.
A manual wheelchair, including your own weight, should not exceed 200kg.
An electric wheelchair or mobility scooter should not weigh more than 300kg.
Aids with a combustion engine are not allowed on trains. This is for safety reasons.
View all NS terms and conditions here.
Please note: Are you travelling on Qbuzz or Arriva trains? There, different conditions apply for travelling with a wheelchair or mobility scooter. Read more on the website of Qbuzz, Blauwnet, and Arriva.
Accessibility at the station
Most stations have a lift or ramp. Also, most stations have wide check-in and check-out gates that you can pass through with a wheelchair or mobility scooter. More and more trains and other means of transport are at ground level, which means you can easily board public transport if you are a wheelchair or walker user, for example.
Accessibility at bus, tram, and metro stops
Do you travel by bus, tram, or metro? Then it is useful to find out before departure whether the stops and means of transport are accessible. You can find this information on the operators' website. Or plan an accessible journey in the 9292 app.
Help boarding and exiting the train
Do you travel with NS? Then you can request assistance with boarding and exiting the train. You need to do this at least 24 hours in advance. This can be done online, via the app, and by phone. You can apply for travel assistance for any journey with NS, including night trains.