FOLLOWING last year’s decision to withdraw staff from its smaller stations, Netherlands Railways is beginning trials at 12 locations of the basic facilities that are to be provided. After consultation with consumer groups, NS has designed a ’service unit’ that combines ticket vending and money-changing machines, a timetable poster, an alarm button to alert police in case of emergency, and a free telephone for contact with NS personnel, all beneath a small shelter that will provide some protection against rain if not wind. All push-buttons are within reach of wheelchair users. A degree of security will be afforded by CCTV surveillance of the service unit and the adjacent platform. After evaluation, modifications will be made before installation of the units at about 100 small stations.

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