The analysis of railway passenger traffic in the Netherlands shows historical fluctuations between 2013 and 2023, with periods of both decline and growth. The traffic peaked at approximately 394.65 million passengers in 2023. Notable declines include a dip in 2014 by -7.38% and a significant drop of -16.7% in 2020, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic impact, with a rebound starting in 2021. The most recent two years, 2022 and 2023, saw moderate year-on-year growth rates of 5.62% and 0.33% respectively. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the past five years, despite disruptions, stood at 0.25%. Projections from 2024 to 2028 indicate a steady, albeit slow, growth with a forecasted five-year CAGR of 0.28%, reaching approximately 400.29 million passengers by 2028.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Technological advancements in railway infrastructure and services aiming to enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency.
- Shifts in public transportation preferences influenced by environmental policies and sustainability efforts.
- Possible impacts of economic fluctuations and global events on travel behavior and passenger volumes.
