After years of having open gates, NS train operator is going to close the turnstiles at three big stations, reports the NRC.

A trial is set to begin in Amsterdam on Thursday and Utrecht and Den Haag will follow.

This will mean that to access the stations or their shops, passengers will need to scan a valid transport card or ticket.

Across the country, says the NRC, 71% of train travellers now pass through a set of closed barriers and when these big stations shut their gates, this will be 92%.

NS commercial director Hans Peters told the paper: ‘At first we wanted to reduce fare dodging. A number of incidents of aggression towards conductors highlighted security. Now that this is better, customer convenience is an important argument.’

He reportedly added that consumers feel very open to the idea of closed gates. ‘People like not having to think whether or not they have checked in and out. They also like to know that their fellow travellers have paid.’