A flexible and sustainable mobility policy? Let NS Zakelijk work for you

In the October 10 HR podcast, Frans Slats was interviewed about the latest trends and developments in mobility policy. In part 1, we discussed how employers can distinguish themselves in the tight labor market with a flexible and sustainable mobility policy. In this 2nd part, Frans explains how NS Zakelijk helps employers design and implement a flexible and sustainable mobility policy.

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How does NS Business support employers when it comes to mobility?

We advise employers on how they can shape their mobility. This is not just about train transport, but about the broader mobility offerings, such as lease cars and shared transport. For example, does a company want to make the switch from a full lease car fleet to a more mixed and sustainable mobility offering? We then help make their existing car fleet available[BM1] to all employees. And we can also add shared bicycles. In addition, employees can use public transport and all kinds of shared transport through the NS Business Card. The goal is to create a mobility offer that fits the company perfectly and is more sustainable at the same time.

So if I am an employer with a mobility issue, can I turn to NS Business for advice?

Absolutely! We offer consulting services to both new and existing clients. In the past, employers came to us mainly for train travel Nowadays we help them much more broadly: we support them in developing a complete mobility policy, take care of the practical organization of mobility and take care of the administrative burden. We try to make everything as accessible and automated as possible, so that employers can focus on their core business.

But what about your own core business?

NS' ultimate goal is to make the Netherlands sustainably accessible. We want as many people as possible to use the train, but we realize that the train is not always the best solution. The ideal situation is a flexible combination of different forms of mobility that best suits the employee and his travel needs. It is always about making employees' travel experience as pleasant as possible.

Can you talk a little more about how you support HR departments?

We find that HR departments struggle with mobility policies and the administrative burden involved. Many employers are still using systems where employees arrange and declare their own public transport passes. We centralize the mobility policy and run all administration through a simple system. This saves time, reduces costs and is more user-friendly for both HR and employees. We also help companies to offer attractive fringe benefits. For example, the private use of mobility cards, without much work for the employer.

And what does this ultimately benefit employees and managers?

Above all, it offers a lot of time savings. Employees have more freedom of choice and flexibility in their mobility, and they can choose what best suits their day. It also contributes to a more sustainable work environment, which is important to more and more employees. What is also striking is that shared mobility can even have a positive impact on employees' physical health. For example, if you choose a shared bike or car, you are automatically moving more than if you get into your own car.

So employees not only get more flexibility, but also a free workout?

Exactly! For example, I myself take my bike to the train station every morning. If I went by car, I would just get in the car and get out at the office. But now I bike for 15 minutes, and that kind of movement is much more common with shared mobility. It's a small adjustment, but contributes to employee health.

Do you have an example of a customer who, with your help, has made great strides in mobility and being an attractive employer?

A great example is ASML, which has made a strong commitment to sustainable mobility policies in the region. ASML was growing rapidly and decided to organize mobility more efficiently and sustainably. In a short time, the number of employees traveling by public transport increased from 2,000 to 10,000, thanks to a good mobility policy and our cooperation. It's a great example of how a company with a good policy not only supports their employees, but also contributes to sustainability.

Can employers also see how many employees actually started traveling more sustainably after implementing the new policy?

Yes, we can certainly report that. For example, we help companies calculate the CO2 savings from using sustainable mobility. There is even a CO2 reporting requirement since this year for employers with more than 100 employees. We can easily map this data so that employers comply with this legal obligation.

How does NS Business respond to the broader sustainability goals of organizations?

Indeed, it is not only CO2 emissions that concern companies, but also the broader impact on the environment. Partial mobility contributes to less parking pressure and less use of space. This plays a big role in ASML's region, for example. In addition, health is playing an increasing role in companies' sustainability policies. By offering partial mobility, we encourage employees to exercise more. And that in turn contributes to their sustainable employability.

Can NS Zakelijk also help offer lease bikes?

Yes, we see a growing trend in offering lease bikes for employees. Many employers offer bicycles as a fringe benefit. We help them arrange this easily and without much administration. For example, employees lease a bike through our app, and that is seamlessly integrated into their mobility offering.

Now, many employers already work with different HR and IT systems. Does your approach fit well with that?

Yes right, we can fully integrate with an employer's systems. This means that, for example, we link our mobility services to their payroll system. This way, trips and claims are processed automatically. This ensures that employers have no extra work and can fully automate their mobility policy.

What else is on the agenda for NS Zakelijk?

We are constantly adding new services. For example, we are currently working on arranging parking via our mobility app as well. The idea is to make everything as simple as possible for the employee, from shared cars to parking spots. We continue to be innovative and are always trying to improve our services.